The Small Business Development Center, or SBDC, hosted by College of the Canyons has received a $25,000 grant from Wells Fargo Bank, which will allow the SBDC to provide entrepreneurial training and comprehensive one-on-one technical assistance to military veterans and their family members.

The 2016 West Region Military Grants Program through Wells Fargo will allow the SBDC to provide technical assistance to approximately 300 individuals in the community.

“The program is an opportunity to provide free professional consulting resources and financial/business education through the Small Business Development Center to help improve the economic presence of veterans and their family members while leveraging skill/knowledge obtained in the military into a new or existing business,” said SBDC Director Catherine Grooms. “One of the SBDC’s strategic goals is to reach underserved segments of the population including veterans to help improve their economic impact through new businesses, job creation, job retention, sales growth, and capital infusion.”

The West Region Military Grants Program will begin with a veteran entrepreneurship training session being held from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Room 222.

“At Wells Fargo, we are dedicated to supporting veterans in obtaining long-lasting, sustainable housing and career transition, as well as providing them with financial education,” said Shaun Sarkissian, Vice President / Regional Banking District Manager of Wells Fargo in Santa Clarita. “Through our West Region Military Grants Program, Wells Fargo is proud to support programs like the Small Business Development Center that work to empower veterans and their family members in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and Antelope Valleys.”

Serving Northern Los Angeles County, the SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons helps potential and existing small business owners start new businesses, address business challenges, and develop the methods necessary to successfully manage and grow their businesses.

“We are deeply gratified for our partnership with Wells Fargo Bank,” said Murray Wood, Chief Development Officer of the college’s Foundation. “Over the last 20 years, the Wells Fargo Foundation has become a major funder of the college’s many important initiatives, such as the construction of the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, Institute for Culinary Education and support of the Small Business Development Center.”

The SBDC is the Small Business Administration’s, or SBA’s, largest service program and provides high-quality business and economic development assistance to small businesses owners and entrepreneurs.

SBDC locations provide one-on-one professional business consulting at no cost. Training is offered at no cost or low cost to entrepreneurs, and both existing and new businesses.

For more information about the SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons please visit http://cocsbdc.org.