Small Business Development

Ronald Westbrook, Director 601.635.6297 rwestbrook@eccc.edu

Current/Upcoming Offerings:

The objective of the East Central Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is to provide free counseling, specialized training and research assistance in all aspects of starting or expanding a small business endeavor. The SBDC is a non-profit, professional service designed to offer one-on-one confidential counseling assistance to ensure a more successful start up of new enterprises and to strengthen existing firms.

FREE Workshops are offered and rotated within the five county district. Topics that are covered are as follows:

Customer Service - "Give 'Em The Pickle" - Discusses the importance of Service, Attitude, Consistency, & Teamwork!

"Business Accounting" - Discusses the balance sheet, income statement, and pertinent financial statement ratios small business owners need to review.

"First Steps: The Process to Starting a Business" - Discusses the process of what should be done in order to start a small business, such as financial projections, collateral, personal financial statements, business loan applications, and frequently asked questions. Offered in Carthage, Decatur, Forest, Louisville, Morton, & Philadelphia.
"Successful Business Plan" - Discusses industry research, description of company products & services, identifying target customer groups, a marketing plan, startup costs & preparation of a projected cash flow statement.

"Money Sources for Your Small Business" - Explores ways to finance a business.
"Understanding Business Financials" - Introduces participants to basic accounting theory, budgeting, performance indicators, and accounting terminology for small businesses.
"Record Keeping for Small Business" - Focuses on what records to keep, the format of records (both manual and computerized systems), the maintaining of these records, & how this information can be used to improve the business performance.
"Emergency Preparedness for Small Business" - Assists in preparing & packaging disaster assistance forms.

Offices used throughout the five county district:

Workforce Development Center, Decatur 601.635.6297 or 601.635.6296

Neshoba Business Enterprise Center Located in the Philadelphia/ Neshoba County Industrial Park

Integrated Technologies Training Center Choctaw, MS 601.389.0832

ECCC Career Advancement Center Carthage: 228.284.0114

ECCC Career Advancement Center Louisville: 662.536.1150

Success Stories

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. East Central Community College SBDC is a member of the Mississippi Small Business Development Centers (MSBDC) network. MSBDC has assisted Mississippi businesses since 1981. “Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested least two weeks in advance.” Please contact Ronald B. Westbrook at (601) 635-2111 Ext. 297.

East Central Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or qualified disability in its educational programs and activities, employment practices, or admissions processes. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies of East Central Community College: Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI, ADEA, and Title IX is coordinated by Dr. Teresa Houston, Vice President for Instruction, Walter Arno Vincent Administration Building, Room 171, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6202, Fax: 601-635-4011, thouston@eccc.edu. Inquiries regarding compliance with Section 504 and ADA is coordinated by Dr. Randall Lee, Vice President of Student Services, Eddie M. Smith Student Union, Room 201, Post Office Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327, Phone: 601-635-6375, Fax: 601-635-3247, rlee@eccc.edu.