![Christa Wilson from the Small Business Development Center is the business consultant assigned to Santa Rosa County. She will act as an ombudsman to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Santa Rosa County through a memorandum of understanding between the county and UWF. [Ramon Rios\SRPG]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-7dc7095d-f2b0-7d5b-e053-0100007f6f6c-a2f5e93c-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON — The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the University of West Florida Small Business Development Center and the county for the purpose of assisting more small businesses locally. Through this one-of-a-kind partnership, the university, the center and the county will collectively champion entrepreneurial progress in the county, according to a county press release.
The center business consultant Christa Wilson leads the program. She will act as the ombudsman by assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses in the county. For the purposes of using center services, a small business is a company with less than 500 employees, Wilson said.
Wilson has owned her own businesses for over 20 years and currently owns a landscaping business that her husband manages.
"This organization is a hidden gem," Wilson says of the center. "Many people don't know it exists."
Wilson listed a few services the center offers: small business administration loans, business plans, government contracts and a lot of business data. All this is available at no cost. The only thing the center asks for is that the business fill out a request for consulting form on its website www.sbdc.uwf.edu. The form will identify what kind of business is seeking help and sets parameters for confidentiality, according to Wilson. In addition, the SBDC would like each business to complete a yearly survey.
"It all depends on what that business' needs are," Wilson said, explaining how the center customizes services to the client.
"Our organization has had a presence in this area for years," Wilson said. "What is new is the focus and expansion of businesses in Santa Rosa County."
These efforts in the county have two goals, Wilson said. The first is to help new businesses start, the second — to help businesses thrive. Some businesses spend years using SBDC services and counseling, others get what they need in a few days.
"We help people in every stage of the business life cycle," Wilson said.
Wilson will work out of the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office, 6491 Caroline Street in Milton. For appointments, contact Christa at (850) 912-4435 or ctiffany@uwf.edu.
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Small Business Development Center moves to county