(Santa Ana)—The Orange County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has received a $25,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. This grant will help the Orange County SBDC promote economic development by providing access to financing and technical assistance for businesses with annual revenue of $1 million or less.

“Minorities and women comprise a significant portion of the Orange County SBDC client base, as well as many business owners from underserved communities including low-and-moderate-income populations.  The objective is to expose all participating small business owners to valuable information and access to business coaches and experts to assist them in prospering in spite of the economic conditions, extreme competition and tight credit markets,” said Leila Mozaffari, director, Orange County SBDC. “Our clients benefit from one-to-one expert business consulting, thereby improving their capacity to expand their existing businesses or launch new ventures. Through comprehensive business development services, this project will strengthen and contribute to local economic development.”

Thanks to this grant, 140 additional qualifying local entrepreneurs and small businesses will have access to the services of the Orange County SBDC, a one-stop source for technical assistance, including consultation services from advisors and industry experts in one-on-one sessions.  Expertise is available to assist with financing, business development, operations, sales, marketing, market research, government and corporate contracting, and international trade. Business consulting services are open to the region’s small business community.

“At Wells Fargo our vision and values teach us that we are only as strong as the communities we serve. Our economic opportunity grants are awarded to programs supporting individuals and small business owners,” said Wells Fargo Orange County Regional President Ben Alvarado. “Rancho Santiago’s Orange County SBDC has a sterling reputation at helping small business owners and we are proud to present this grant that will go a long way to help strengthen and reinforce Orange County’s small businesses which are the drivers of our local economy.”

The recent grant brings Wells Fargo’s total investment in the Orange County SBDC-related projects to more than $385,000. For more information on how the Orange County SBDC is helping foster new and existing business growth, visit www.ocsbdc.org.

About the Orange County SBDC
The Orange County Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an economic development program of Rancho Santiago Community College District, is partially supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the California State University, Fullerton and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. The Orange County SBDC is a one-stop source for business development, expansion strategies, contracting opportunities and access to capital.

About the Rancho Santiago Communality College District
The mission of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is to respond to the educational needs of an ever-changing community and to provide programs and services that reflect academic excellence. Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of RSCCD, which serve the residents of Anaheim Hills, East Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and Villa Park.  Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, customized training for business and industry, and programs to train nurses, firefighters and law enforcement personnel.