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Small Business Development
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Small Business

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has a mission to accelerate Ohio's economy by helping people start, sustain, and grow their business.  The SBDC provides dynamic technical assistance to small business owners and continues to make entrepreneurship a priority in Ohio's communities.  It promotes diversity in entrepreneurship, providing assistance to minority, veteran and women owned businesses.  The Center educates prospective, new and second stage business owners through direct consulting, training, research, and technical assistance in all areas of business management.  The Center also provides peer-to-peer learning, access to venture capitalists, guidance in diversification and strategic planning.  In addition, the SBDC has a network of partners which include colleges, universities, chambers of commerce and economic development agencies in Southern Ohio.  The Small Business Development Center is funded through the Ohio Development Services Agency and the United States Small Business Administration.   

District 7 Small Business Development Center is located in Piketon, Ohio and covers ten southern Ohio counties which include:

  • Adams
  • Fayette
  • Gallia
  • Highland
  • Jackson
  • Lawrence
  • Pike
  • Ross
  • Scioto
  • Vinton

We have several resources available to help your new or existing small business in the areas of marketing, management, financials, technology, manufacturing, commercialization, leadership and exporting.   

Our team:

Brad Bapst, SBDC Director - 614-247-9692 - bapst.4@osu.edu 
Ryan Mapes, Program Leader - 614-247-9704 - mapes.281@osu.edu
Melissa Carter, Business Advisor covering Fayette, Highland, & Ross Counties - 614-247-9693 - carter.1094@osu.edu

Melanie Sherman, Business Advisor covering Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, & Vinton Counties - 614-247-9729 - sherman.1675@osu.edu
Ashley Wilburn, Business Advisor covering Adams, Pike, and Scioto - 614-292-4616 - wilburn.132@osu.edu 

Jennifer Dunn, Program Assistant - 614-247-9729 - dunn.595@osu.edu

If you are interested in meeting with a counselor, please fill out our online request for counseling

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The Small Business Development Center of Ohio (SBDC) program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Ohio Development Services Agency.  All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.