Yavapai College SBDC and White Mountain Economic Development Supporting Small Businesses

Yavapai College SBDC: Services and Role

The Yavapai College SBDC is part of the state and national network of Small Business Development Centers, providing free and confidential business counseling, workshops and resources to help small businesses start, grow and sustain.

Key services offered by the SBDC include:

• One‐on‐one confidential counseling to discuss goals, challenges and strategies.
• Business plan development and strategic planning support.
• Workshops and training on financials, marketing and business planning.
• Financial analysis, forecasting and access to capital guidance.
• Resources for existing businesses focused on growth and succession planning.
• Local presence serving all communities across Yavapai County.

White Mountain Economic Development (WMED): Mission and Services

WMED is a nonprofit organization with the mission of empowering communities by providing essential support and resources to stimulate local economies and improve quality of life.

• Feasibility studies for business incubators.
• Grant development and execution for communities and businesses.
• Business incubation support through mentoring specifically in this region around food entrepreneurship, shared kitchens and strategic growth planning.
• Training and workshop programs for entrepreneurs.
• Shared infrastructure such as commercial kitchens to reduce startup costs.

How SBDC and WMED Form a Strong Partnership

The partnership between the SBDC and WMED is a natural and strategic fit: one offers core business counseling and small business support, the other focuses on infrastructure‑building, incubation, grant development and broader economic ecosystem development.

• Complementary Services: SBDC provides foundational counseling while WMED offers expert food mentors and resource access.
• Referral Networks: Each organization refers clients to the other to provide complete business lifecycle support.
• Shared Goals and Regional Reach: Both aim to strengthen local economies and job creation in Northern Arizona.
• Access to Capital and Infrastructure: WMED’s shared kitchen and incubation resources complement SBDC’s planning and loan-readiness guidance.
• Stronger Outcomes for Entrepreneurs: Combined efforts create higher success rates and growth capacity.

Why This Partnership Matters to Business Owners

• Integrated Support System covering idea to scale.
• No‐ or Low‐Cost Services for accessible growth.
• Local Expertise with a rural economic focus.
• Access to Networks and Shared Infrastructure.
• Strategic Growth‑Orientation combining tactical and strategic planning.

In today’s competitive and rapidly evolving business environment, small business owners need more than a good idea – they need sound planning, access to infrastructure and capital, and a strong network of support. The Yavapai College SBDC delivers essential business counseling, while White Mountain Economic Development provides incubation, grant writing, and community-scale strategy. Together they form a powerful partnership supporting entrepreneurs across Prescott and Northern Arizona. QCBN

By Russ Yelton

To contact the Yavapai SBDC: sbdc@yv.eud

To contact WMED: info@wmedev.org

Russ Yelton is the executive director of White Mountain Economic Development (WMED), bringing a wealth of experience in community development and business growth. With a proven track record in supporting municipalities and scaling businesses, Russ is passionate about fostering economic prosperity in rural areas.