Fordham Westchester opens small business development center

Fordham University’s Westchester campus recently opened the Westchester Outreach Center of the New York State Small Business Development Center, which will offer free, one-on-one business counseling, research and training.

The center, at 400 Westchester Ave. on the Fordham Westchester campus in West Harrison, will offer management and technical assistance to existing county businesses and entrepreneurs. Current and prospective business owners can receive help preparing business plans and accessing capital as well as answers to other general finance questions.

The state Small Business Development Center, which includes a network of 23 campus-based regional centers and 29 outreach offices, focuses on projects to advance job development, investment and economic growth with an emphasis on manufacturers, exporters and tech firms. It emphasizes training services to women, veterans, people with special needs and minority clients. Its Albany-based Research Network provides the Westchester center and its business advisors with economic and demographic data.

Founded in 1984, the state Small Business Development Center has advised more than 277,000 New Yorkers and helped create or save 130,000 state jobs, according to the organization.

The Westchester center will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

For more information on the center, call 914-367-3277 or visit www.nyssbdc.org.