SBDC seeing shift in clients

When Michael F. and Susan E. Maring decided to change their business from landscaping to wine-making, they turned to the Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College, Watertown.

"They helped us with figuring out the financing and cash flow," Mrs. Maring said.

That was a few years ago, and this fall, Tug Hill Vineyards in West Lowville harvested its first crop of grapes.

"We harvested about 1,800 pounds of grapes," she said. Those grapes are being turned into wine.

"We did have 30 years of experience running a business," Mrs. Maring said. "They were a big help in doing the business plan."

That's where many aspiring small-business owners start when they come to the center, Director F. Eric Constance said.

In the past year, the center has seen more men and more military members than usual. From Oct. 1, 2008, to Oct. 1, the center had 819 clients, which is about average for the past few years. About 67 percent were male and 23 percent were military service members.

In previous years, men have accounted for about half of the clients and soldiers about 18 percent.

Mr. Constance said he's not exactly sure why more men have been seeking help with starting or expanding a small business.

"It's a trend we're seeing across the state," he said. "More men are in the non-workforce; more are unemployed than women."

But for the increased proportion of soldiers coming to the center, Mr. Constance said, he's seen more awareness of the center's existence.

"They find out we're around and come to us," he said. "We think that if we get some of them and help them, they'll be successful and stay here."

He said the center is working on developing online workshops that soldiers can take while deployed.

This year, the center helped 79 new or growing businesses secure $12.4 million in funding from banks and other entities.

That's down from an average of $15 million to $16 million in the past few years.

"That's due to the difficulty in getting financing," Mr. Constance said. "And I see it continuing for the next year."

In general, regional banks are still lending while national and international banks are not.

"Still, we fared extremely well compared to other states," he said.

The center has an outreach center in Oswego and goes to the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency office one day per week. Over the past year, the projects the center supported have led to 171 jobs saved and 231 created. Those numbers are verified by three entities, Mr. Constance said.

The center continues to work with JCC's Continuing Education Division to offer a small-business certification. It also is looking forward to a revamped self-employment program at the state level. That allows those who are laid off to work on their startup business plan and get their small businesses started while still receiving unemployment benefits.

"Most of our time is spent one-on-one," Mr. Constance said. "And it should continue that way."