This content was published: September 17, 2001. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Media Advisory: Small Business Development Center Opens in Lloyd Center
Photos and Story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Portland Community College has helped hundreds of fledgling businesses get off the ground, become profitable and ultimately, contribute to the economic health and well being of metropolitan-area Portland. Over the years, PCC’s SBDC has counseled small business owners ranging from a tour bus operator to a blue jeans trader, a vineyard and winery owner to veterinarians, wedding consultants and more. In order to be more accessible to their customers, the SBDC is moving to the Lloyd Center in Northeast Portland. "We have a great location with the Lloyd Center Mall,"said director Tom Lowles. "This is perfect for our clients. The Lloyd Center is open in the evening, is on the Max line and Tri-Met stop, and there is free parking in the lots. Even the Food Court, just a few doors down the hall, will make it easier for our students to balance work, studies and family."In addition to a classroom space and offices, the new location will include a resource library for clients to do research. The Small Business Development Center will hold an open house to celebrate the new location on Friday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Lloyd Center Mall, Suite 2025, level three of the mall. The open house is free and open to the public. On hand to help inaugurate the new space and provide brief remarks will be Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey, PCC’s new president, Jesus "Jess"Carreon, and PCC board director Harold Williams. The ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. For more information about the open house, please contact the center at 503-978-5080.In addition to the Lloyd Center location, the Small Business Development Center operates a satellite office location at the Capital Center, 18624 NW Walker Rd, in Aloha. The SBDC also offers classes in several Portland-metropolitan locations, including Banks, Vernonia, St Helens, Hillsboro, Forest Grove and others. A companion program, the PCC Small Business International Trade Program provides additional courses and counseling at the World Trade Center in Portland. A sampling of current and past students:*John and Lynn Albin own and operate Albin Vista Hills Winery and Vineyard in Hillsboro and are students in the Small Business Management (SBM) program. Contact them at 503-628-2986. *Brian and Monica Gerath own and operate Prints Charming, a photography business in Southwest Portland. In the second year of the SBM program, they can be contacted at 503-246-3056.*Barbara Van Doorinick owns The Wedding Cottage in Beaverton and has relied on the SBDC for the past six years. She can be reached at 503-643-9730.*Dana Herbert of Dana Herbert Accessories is located in Northeast Portland and manufactures and sells fashion scarves. In the second year of the program, she can be contacted at 503-282-9600.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »