November 11, 2019

HANNIBAL, MO – The Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and University of Missouri Extension Business Development Programs are excited to announce the establishment of a new SBDC office in partnership with the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council (HREDC) in Hannibal, MO.

Corey Mehaffy became the HREDC director at the beginning of 2019 and from day one had plans to add an SBDC entrepreneurship specialist to the team. Mehaffy added, “SBDC provides critical resources to our small business from concept to start up, growth to renewal, mature to succession and everything in between. The HREDC entrepreneurship specialist will be here to help you succeed at every stage in your business’ lifecycle.”

Entrepreneurship specialists use their expertise to help Missouri businesses with critical business development issues. Guidance addressing topics such as management, marketing and strategic planning is available for new and existing businesses. All one-on-one counseling is confidential.

Mehaffy indicated that the HREDC has been offering SBDC services in partnership with other SBDC counselors since the beginning of the year. Mehaffy went on to say, “We have already had a few success stories in the Hannibal market with new businesses opening in Historic Downtown Hannibal after working with SBDC counselors. We look for that impact to increase significantly as we bring a full-time entrepreneurship specialist on staff in the coming weeks.”

HREDC is currently taking resumes for the new position. According to Mehaffy, “An earned bachelor’s degree with professional experience in business or business education is required. HREDC is looking for a self-motivated, customer focused person comfortable with a results-oriented position.” If you are interested in applying for the position, please visit the following link: http://bit.ly/2NYYCNb

The Missouri SBDC is funded in part through the U.S. Small Business Administration and provides small business owners personalized assistance to make confident business decisions. The SBDC offers one-on-one counseling by appointment and training events on various business topics from understanding financial statements, customer discovery, business planning, cash flow analysis, and other events based upon the needs of the business communities served.

SBDC offices are located throughout the state because of partnerships with area colleges/universities and economic development organizations. The Missouri SBDC at HREDC will serve Marion, Clark, Lewis, Shelby, Ralls, and Pike counties. For more information on HREDC, please visit their website at www.hredc.com.

About the Missouri SBDC

The Missouri SBDC helps business owners make confident decisions to start, grow, and sell their businesses. Services are provided to all Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis in the form of training events and one-to-one counseling by appointment. The Missouri SBDC is a program funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is a partner of the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program.

SBDC Coverage Map