For Immediate release
For more information, contact Keith Olson at 774-4279
Keith Olson selected NDSBDC State Star for 2011
WILLISTON, N.D. - Williston State College is pleased to announce that Keith Olson, director of the Small Business Development Center, has been named the NDSBDC State Star for 2011.
According to Bon Wickenheiser, state director of the NDSBDC in Bismarck, "the Association of Small Business Development Centers is a national organization that represents all Small Business Development Center networks in the US and its territories."
She added that "there are 63 SBDC programs funded by the Small Business Administration. The North Dakota network has been serving small business owners and those wanting to start businesses since 1986. There are eight regional centers and 13 local centers in North Dakota."
Each year, each program nominates one of its consultants for the state star award given to recognize outstanding achievement by counselors serving businesses. Wickenheiser said that Olson was selected as one of the best 50 consultants in the country for his efforts in the state of North Dakota. Through his office, he oversaw direct contact with 244 individuals, and delivered 1,935 one-on-one consultation hours to those clients.
"This is as much for the people I work with as it is for me," Olson said. "I get great support from the college and that allows me to do the job."
Businesses assisted by the Williston region received $60,594,272 in capital to open or expand their businesses.
"I have great resources here," Olson stated. "We have extremely good economic developers in the area that I work with - from Williston, Crosby, Watford City and more. We also have a really good relationship with the area bankers. This award is as much for all of them as it is for me. Of all the regions in the state - I have it really good here."
"The North Dakota SBDC is very proud of Keith and his efforts to assist local businesses with the challenges of growth and access to capital to fuel that growth," Wickenheiser said.