LOS ANGELES – The Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County (EDC‐VC) has been selected to host a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and will begin operating on July 1, 2010. Since the closure of the SBDC at Ventura College in December of last year, the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network has been working on recruiting a new center. The new EDC‐VC SBDC, located at 1601 Carmen Drive, #215 in Camarillo, will provide consultations and training sessions to small business owners in the Ventura County area.

EDC‐VC is a regional public/private economic development organization that delivers programs that promote jobs and economic growth, and raises overall productivity and incomes. “We are honored to have been chosen as the host for the SBDC in Ventura County,” said Bruce Stenslie, President/CEO, EDC‐VC. “The entrepreneurial spirit of our small business owners and surrounding communities is truly unique. We are confident that the EDC‐VC – in conjunction with the SBDC network – will be able to support and promote economic growth for our entire region.”

The new center will further enhance the already established Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network which is hosted by Long Beach Community College District and operates six centers throughout the Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. “Long Beach City College and the SBDC Network look forward to working with the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County to support small businesses and create jobs,” said Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President of Long Beach City College. “EDC‐VC has a history of responsive small business programs, is a strong economic development organization and excellent addition to our Network. We are looking forward to working with Bruce and his team to serve the small businesses in our region” adds Sheneui Weber, Regional Director for the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network.

Currently, any small business can take advantage of the free services that are offered by the SBDC centers in their area. The SBDC program is the SBA's most extensive economic development program which helps small businesses create jobs and strengthen local economies. The SBDC program is designed to match dollar‐for‐dollar every federal dollar that it receives with state, community or private funds. The Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network received $3.4 million in federal funds in 2009.

Since January 1, 2006, Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) has been the host for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network servicing the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara communities. The SBDC program is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) most extensive economic development program, helping small businesses create jobs and strengthen local economies. LBCCD as the Lead Center holds the contract with the SBA and contracts with a diverse group of six educational and community development organizations to deliver services to small businesses. For more information, please visit www.smallbizla.org