KSBDC Earns National Accreditation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2012) — The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) joins an elite group of SBDCs after receiving full accreditation without conditions from the Association of Small Business Development Centers, the national accrediting body for Small Business Development Centers.

“For more than 30 years the KSBDC has provided high quality, in-depth and hands-on services to existing and start-up businesses in Kentucky. Receiving full accreditation and a positive review is testament to the excellent services our staff strives to provide across the Commonwealth,” said KSBDC State Director Becky Naugle.

The accreditation review process is mandated by Congress and based on standards influenced by the late Malcolm Baldridge, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, to ensure that SBDC programs are operating efficiently and effectively. 

The reviewer assigned to conduct the KSBDCs accreditation conducted on-site assessments and interviewed employees in each of the 15 KSBDC service centers. The reviewer evaluated several areas of the KSBDC including program performance. The reviewer recognized the KSBDC for several program accomplishments including: 

• Maintaining a well developed network where the involvement of each employee is real and substantive;

• Maintaining a well-defined process for strategic planning where progress is meticulously tracked; and

• Developing and implementing a cohesive, professional marketing presence across the state

Accreditation reviews are conducted every four years. SBDCs must maintain accreditation to be eligible to receive federal funding.

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center is a network of 15 offices located throughout the state that help existing and start-up businesses succeed by offering high quality, in-depth and hands-on services. The KSBDC is a partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). For more information on how the KSBDC can serve you, visit www.ksbdc.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Sarah Magargee-Hineman, (859) 257-7668;

                                   Carl Nathe, (859) 257-3200 or carl.nathe@uky.edu