On the Cuyahoga County Small Business Agency’s first day in business in early May, an entrepreneur was there seeking the agency’s services just 11 minutes after the office opened.
Small business owners submitted applications through a landing page for the office on the county’s website. The office is headed by Vaughn Johnson, the county’s deputy director of economic development, who said he wasn’t surprised entrepreneurs were reaching out on the opening day. The county had been promoting the office for weeks in advance, with YouTube videos and other promotions that emphasized that the new office was designed to address many of the problems entrepreneurs face.
“We know that the small business community needs access to capital,” he said. “We know they want contracting and procurement opportunities. They may need help with how to grow their business or get bank financing, they may be looking for technical assistance.”
Small businesses want to grow. They want partners to help them grow, scale and support them throughout the lifecycle of their business. That’s what the Small Business Administration is here for.
Vaughn Johnson, the county’s deputy director of economic development.
Johnson knew there was a high demand for his firm’s services, but he was a bit surprised when the first request came in.
“Just 11 minutes after we launched, a small business reached out to us for help,” he said.
Businesses continue to request assistance.
Cuyahoga County is home to over 30,000 small businesses.
Cuyahoga is home to more than 30,000 small businesses, Johnson said, according to research from Baldwin Wallace University. A small business is defined as one with fewer than 500 employees, Johnson said. The office, located on the seventh floor of the county courthouse at 2079 E. 9th St. in Cleveland, is aimed at helping small businesses at different stages of their development, from the early stages when an entrepreneur is developing an idea to start a business to an existing company looking to expand.
Johnson said the benefit of creating a Small Business Administration is that it creates a one-stop shop where businesses can learn about applying for grants, qualifying for loans to receive financial assistance and successfully bidding for contracts.
“There are organizations in the small business ecosystem that offer these services,” he says. “The challenge for small business owners is they don’t necessarily know who they are or how to find them.”
Small and Medium Enterprise Agency launches information series for entrepreneurs
The County has provided these programs and services to small businesses directly and indirectly for many years. The County connects entrepreneurs to small business support organizations that the County partners with and funds. Read more [insert hed for sidebar] Find out how small businesses benefit from County funding and programs.
Johnson said the office will also host sessions focused on topics that many entrepreneurs have expressed interest in learning more about. He plans to launch a series of sessions on “How to do business with…” Since many small businesses are interested in winning contracts with government agencies and other large companies, one series of sessions will focus on the bidding process as well as connecting entrepreneurs with the agencies and companies that will award contracts.
“Small businesses are eager to grow,” Johnson said. “They want a partner to help them grow, scale and support them throughout the lifecycle of their business. That’s what the Small Business Administration is about.”
For more information, For information about the Small Business Administration, please visit the landing page on the Cuyahoga County website. Our office recommends that you make an appointment in advance.
