West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center - SBDC

10/14/2026

Time for our Borrower Success Word of the Week.
With Balloon Payments the payments are calculated on a longer timeline than the actual loan term, making your monthly obligations much smaller. This frees up working capital to invest in inventory, marketing, or business growth.

10/13/2026

Did you know that your bank offers fraud prevention tools? Schedule time with your banker and ask them, “What fraud prevention tools do you offer on business accounts, and which ones are active on mine right now?”

10/07/2026

SBDC Consultants can help you put together a marketing strategy for your small business.

Send an email to [email protected] to get connected to a consultant.

10/06/2026

Fall is here! From seasonal décor to services, local businesses help make it happen.

10/01/2026

Whether you're preparing for Small Business Saturday, exploring AI tools, navigating new workplace requirements, or seeking government contracting opportunities, this October's newsletter can help you build momentum for the months ahead.
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Email from West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center Harvest Season Reminders October 2026 West Central MN SBDC We serve entrepreneurs and small businesses in Becker, Clay, Douglas, G

09/30/2026

Time for our Borrower Success Word of the Week.
Businesses can use their balance sheet to evaluate their overall financial health, track liquidity, and secure funding.

09/30/2026

This week, our Regional Director, Ian Carlstrom, is in Atlanta at the ASBDC Annual Training Event representing Minnesota for his work around getting AI safely and practically in the hands of small businesses. On Monday, Ian and three other SBDC Consultants/Regional Directors offered a half day training to consultants. This morning Ian was a part of a general panel discussion. He'll continue to present workshops this week. We're very proud of the work that Ian's doing!

09/29/2026

While personal credit scores are a standard 300 - 800 range, small businesses have different ranges depending on the scoring model. The FICO model is used to evaluate eligibility for SBA loans. A score from 160 - 165 is the minimum for a loan application. 180 - 300 is strongly preferred by lenders.

09/23/2026

Time for our Borrower Success Word of the Week.
Businesses can pledge assets to access working capital, secure lower interest rates, or obtain funding.

09/22/2026

It’s not just one purchase — it’s the habit.
Small, consistent support keeps local businesses going year-round.