CANTON -- The SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) says it has played a vital role in helping North Country businesses throughout the pandemic and continues to expand its services, according to a press release from the center.

In the 2020 fiscal year, the SBDC says they’ve generated almost $22 million in economic impact while helping create 91 new jobs and save 1,514 jobs through its offices at SUNY Canton and Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh. SBDC business advisors saw over 500 clients seeking COVID-19 disaster assistance, the center said.

Those clients secured more than $19 million in loans from the Small Business Administration, Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and local disaster loans. These efforts led to the creation of 63 new jobs and helped save more than 1,400 jobs, according to the press release.

The SUNY Canton SBDC helped numerous businesses prepare reopening plans, the press release said. The need for added assistance allowed the SBDC to hire new area consultants and employees through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding.

Expanding Resources

The SUNY Canton SBDC, Saint Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Saint Lawrence County Industrial Development Authority and others are partnering with Nicole Ouellette of Breaking Even Communications to provide businesses in the North Country with online business support over the coming months.

Ouellette, an online marketer who runs Anchorspace Potsdam will be working as a consultant to expand communications among area business owners through a series of workshops and online collaboration.

One initiative will be working groups, which will be geared toward helping businesses get a specific task done, including setting up and running Facebook or Instagram ads and creating an online payment form for donations and simple sales, the press release said. Those interested can learn more or sign up to attend a working group.

A second initiative is a Start Your Online Store Bootcamp where for one weekend in November, business owners can come into Anchorspace Potsdam or join in a virtual meeting to get their store set up in Shopify, Square, or Etsy as part of the Empire State Digital initiative. There will be a product photography station, snacks and lunch from local businesses.

The final initiative is creating an online discussion community for area business owners to connect with each other over Slack, a business communication software platform. Those interested in joining the community are encouraged to connect with their SBDC counselor for details.