The Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons has received a $25,000 grant from Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in support of the SBDC’s Antelope Valley location and the many free support services provided to small businesses owners in the region.

This additional grant funding will allow the SBDC to expand its free one-on-one business consulting services and classroom and computer based training programs, while providing additional targeted resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs that have been particularly affected by the recent economic downturn.

“Small business is the engine of our economy,” said Antonovich in a statement. “Their success is vital to create jobs in our communities and to stimulate economic growth and vitality.”

Included among the expanded set of services is the debut of a new series of free trainings, beginning with the session “Essential Steps for Writing a Business Plan” which will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Antelope Valley Small Business & Entrepreneurship Center, located on the University of Antelope Valley campus in the City of Lancaster.

Future training sessions will be held at the Center, or at the SBDC’s office located inside the South Valley WorkSource Center in the city of Palmdale.

“We are very grateful to receive this support from Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s office,” said SBDC Executive Director Steve Tannehill. “Over the past several years the SBDC has significantly grown its services in the Antelope Valley to include a full time location, a satellite location, a business advisor dedicated solely to Antelope Valley business owners and entrepreneurs and the availability of free and low cost trainings and other business services.

“With this grant the SBDC will be able to continue to expand its services and provide significantly more consulting and training support to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Antelope Valley.”

The SBDC’s main offices are located in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center on the College of the Canyons Valencia campus.

Those interested in registering to attend one of the SBDC training sessions in Antelope Valley can find registration links on the SBDC calendar located at www.cocsbdc.org.

For more information about the SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons or the Antelope Valley Small Business & Entrepreneurship Center, contact the SBDC at (661) 362-5900 or sbdc@canyons.edu, or visit www.cocsbdc.org.