The City of Georgiana joined communities across the nation in celebrating National SBDC Day on March 18, as Mayor Ninna Bonner issued a proclamation recognizing the impact of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Troy University in supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening economic development across Butler County.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of rural communities,” Bonner said. “This proclamation recognizes the SBDC’s ongoing work to help our local businesses grow and succeed.”
The Troy University SBDC provides no-cost business advising and training to entrepreneurs across Southeast Alabama, working with individuals at every stage of business development—from early-stage ideas to expansion, ownership transitions and access to capital.
In 2025, the center helped launch 20 new businesses, supported the creation of 20 new jobs and assisted clients in securing more than $265,000 in growth capital. During that time, SBDC advisors worked with 121 clients and delivered more than 924 hours of one-on-one advising.
Beyond individual business support, the SBDC has played a key role in advancing broader economic development efforts in Butler County. The center has worked alongside local leadership to support applications and processes tied to the community’s revolving loan fund, helping ensure that local businesses have access to capital needed for startup and expansion.
In addition, the SBDC has partnered with city and county stakeholders on strategic initiatives tied to economic development projects—providing guidance, technical assistance and structure to efforts aimed at strengthening the local business ecosystem.
“Every community has individuals with the potential to build something meaningful,” said Juliana Bolivar, Director of TROY SBDC. “In rural communities, that potential is often unlocked through strong partnerships. Our role is to support both the entrepreneur and the community systems that help them succeed.”
Through collaboration with city officials, economic development leaders and community organizations, the SBDC helps identify individuals with business potential and connects them to the resources needed to move forward. Across its service area, the SBDC has also worked with a broader network of partners—including law enforcement and other local stakeholders—to strengthen referral systems that support entrepreneurs at the community level.
To continue strengthening that network, the SBDC will host a follow-up meeting on March 26 in Georgiana, bringing together mayors, economic development professionals and community stakeholders from across Butler County. The meeting will focus on aligning local efforts, reinforcing referral pathways and ensuring that entrepreneurs across the region have a clear and accessible entry point to business support services.
SBDC Day is a national celebration of the impact of America’s Small Business Development Centers, which collectively support thousands of entrepreneurs each year through a network of more than 1,000 centers across the United States and international partnerships. The day highlights the role SBDCs play in driving small business success, job creation and economic growth in communities of all sizes.
The recognition of SBDC Day in Georgiana reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that rural entrepreneurs have access to the resources, partnerships and support systems needed to succeed.
