KOSBE and SBA Sign a Strategic Alliance Memo

KOSBE and U.S. Small Business Administration Ink an Agreement to Further Strengthen and Expand Small Business Development in the Local Area

"Today we celebrate another milestone that builds upon the current robust growth and development ofstartups and existing small businesses in Kingport, Tennessee."  --Mayor Dennis Phillips

Kingsport, TN — March 31, 2008 — During the inaugural Kingsport Chamber Fourth Friday Breakfast and Business Meeting on Friday, March 28th, Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips, Kingsport Chamber President and CEO Miles Burdine, KOSBE Executive Director Aundrea Wilcox, and Small Business Administration Tennessee District Director Clint W. Smith all signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) intended to develop and foster mutual understanding and a working relationship between the SBA and KOSBE in order to further strengthen and expand small business development in the local area.

Under the SAM agreement, the SBA will provide KOSBE with up-to-date information about SBA’s programs and services, conduct ongoing training of KOSBE’s staff and volunteers, offer marketing support, and make available to KOSBE select SBA resources such as well-regarded speakers to participate in KOSBE workshops, conferences, seminars and other activities, web site content, research and other publications.  In return, KOSBE will disseminate SBA-provided information, participate in SBA-sponsored events, and collaborate with SBA and its other Resource Partners  including SCORE, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to provide information to its clients about the wide range of business development services available to small businesses regionally.

“Today we celebrate another milestone that builds upon the current robust growth and development of startups and existing small businesses in Kingsport, Tennessee,” said Mayor Phillips. “The strategic alliance memorandum with KOSBE and SBA creates a new partnership that will benefit local small businesses, and ultimately, our region as a whole.”  He added, “The timing for this initiative could not be better. More and more, people that have lived in Kingsport for a prolonged period or who were born here are launching themselves on the road to entrepreneurship than ever before.  Some are living elsewhere now but are looking for a way to come back home. We want to ensure that anyone that has the desire has full access to a path to financial independence, which has proven so rewarding for so many existing local business owners.”

In a room that was completely full with well over 200 representatives of the business community in attendance, SBA District Director Clint Smith said, "Judging from the incredible turnout here today, small business is big business in Kingsport, Tennessee.  Over the past 12 months, it has been a pleasure working with KOSBE and the Kingsport Chamber to put on various workshops, seminars and other events.  This new partnership enables the SBA to give priority to KOSBE and elevate KOSBE’s standing in terms of credibility and stability, and continue providing maximum benefits and connectivity to the small businesses in this area.”  

Executive Director Aundrea Wilcox, who heads KOSBE, said “Through this collaboration, our clients will be better equipped to launch successful entrepreneurial careers.  This alliance would not have come about so soon without the help of the State of Tennessee Economic Community Development Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) and Mr. Ronald Wade, BERO East Tennessee Enterprise Specialist.  Mr. Wade was instrumental in helping us forge the partnership with SBA, which has been a goal of ours since the time we began working closely with BERO in 2006.  Mr. Wade pointed us in the right direction and helped us develop the right relationships that would ensure KOSBE’s success.”The mission of the SBA is to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business by providing financial, contractual and business development assistance and advocating on their behalf within the government. 

In 2004, the Kingsport Chamber and City of Kingsport jointly formed the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization, to specifically nurture, counsel and encourage the continued robust growth and development of startups and existing small businesses in Kingsport, Tennessee. 

Services provided by KOSBE include but are not limited to: business plan writing; business formations; education and training; grants, loans and capital sources; access to new markets; business development; sales and marketing assistance; e-commerce facilitation; networking opportunities; professional services referrals; connection to international trade; small business certification guidance; computer and software support; and lead generation.


 
 
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