Buffalo State’s SBDC Receives $750,000 to Help Small Businesses Grow Online Presence

Brian Higgins, ’85, U.S. representative for New York’s 26th congressional district, announced a $750,000 federal grant for Buffalo State University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) during a press conference on May 2 at the campus’s LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center. The funding is specifically designated to help existing small businesses develop websites and facilitate opportunities to grow online sales.

The SBDC is leading the e-commerce program. E-commerce surged throughout the pandemic and continues to be a growing choice for many consumers. From retail to restaurants, many local small businesses scrambled during COVID to enhance their online presence and stay profitable, noted Susan McCartney, SBDC director.

With the resources Higgins secured, the SBDC has already set up a free program to help minority- and women-owned businesses in Western New York develop and improve their online business platform. Owners complete a detailed survey about their business, brand identity, desired website features, and company goals before working with experienced website developers to improve or create a website. More than two dozen local entrepreneurs have already benefited from the program.

“Today’s interconnected world offers small-business owners the opportunity to reach a worldwide customer base,” Higgins said. “And while very good at what they do, many of these owners don’t have the expertise or resources to develop a well-designed, secure, and effective website. This program, led by the expert team at the Small Business Development Center at Buffalo State, opens doors of opportunity for local entrepreneurs and supports the growth of Western New York small business.”