Clinton County Port Authority Proud to be an SBDC Ambassador

Clinton County Port Authority Proud to be an SBDC Ambassador
Local partnership with Miami University SBDC enters its third year 

(Wilmington, OH) The Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA) is proud to be one of 50 Ambassadors for the 2023 SBDC Day on March 15, 2023. The day is a national, collective proclamation of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses.

As small business owners navigate an ever-changing landscape, SBDCs continue to support and elevate their clients through innovative at-cost training programs and free advising strategies. Nearly 1,000 SBDCs across the United States and its territories serve clients virtually and from their offices. The CCPA is enthusiastically serving as an SBDC DAY Ambassador for the third year running because of the success the Port Authority board has seen from the Miami University Small Business Development Center (MUSBDC) – the Port Authority’s partner since 2020 – in Clinton County.

James Buckner, MUSBDC Vice President of Business Counseling, serves as the Business Advisor for Clinton County. In 2022 he was recognized at the Ohio SBDC Conference as the SBDC Mentor of the Year. He has provided 628 business advising/consulting hours, resulting in: 170 new jobs created, predominantly in manufacturing and construction; $12.79 million capital formation; and $25.66 million in sales growth.

“The SBDC’s relationship with the Port Authority is a true economic development partnership,” said Alex Beres, Clinton County Port Authority Executive Director. “Jim Buckner’s expertise is invaluable in our ability to assist our local small businesses to grow and expand in Clinton County.”

The theme for the seventh annual SBDC Day is “Reimaging Main Street,” a theme that is reflected in Buckner’s work with his clients, including Kava Haus, a locally owned coffee shop located in Wilmington. “Kava Haus is a rapidly growing small business that has received tremendous support and guidance from Jim Buckner and the Clinton County Port Authority,” said Brad Heys, Kava Haus Owner. “Over the past year, Kava Haus has been grateful to have the CCPA as a resource to help grow and guide this business forward and help seek out new endeavors.” MUSBDC assistance allowed Kava Haus to purchase a trailer — the Kava Kart — for mobile sales at regional events and to open a second location in Xenia, in neighboring Greene County.

The SBDC’s work in Clinton County is not just focused on Main Street or Wilmington. Two Clinton County business expansions initially planned for out-of-county will now be kept in the county, representing significant owner investment, commercial financing, and job growth. A third existing business expansion opportunity is in the works.

“The SBDC has been assisting business owners here in Clinton County with everything from production capacity, supply chain improvement, and additional facility needs, to talent acquisition, banking, and international trade,” said Walt Rowsey, Chair of the Clinton County Port Authority Board. Several construction and manufacturing businesses that have been consistently working with MUSBDC are in their third straight year of growth. “The support the SBDC has offered to local businesses has been professional, thorough, and eminently impactful,” he added.

“Through adversity, we strengthen and grow, and nothing could be truer for the SBDC network and its thousands of clients this past year,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, President & CEO of America’s SBDC. “This SBDC Day, we are celebrating the SBDC network’s reimagined approach to doing business and its direct positive impact on Main Streets all across America.”

About Clinton County Port Authority
The Clinton County Port Authority is a special-purpose government formed to operate transportation infrastructure and lead economic development efforts. Designated by the County, the City of Wilmington, and the Wilmington CIC as the lead Economic Development Agency for the County, it coordinates with the Dayton Development Coalition and JobsOhio to attract jobs to, and retain jobs in, the area. It owns and operates the Wilmington Air Park, an integrated aviation and logistics business park on 1,900 acres with nearly three million square feet of industrial, office, and hangar space. It is the highest volume cargo airport in Ohio, is ranked 25th in the U.S., and was named Best Airport in Ohio in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Learn more about the Port Authority at ChooseClintonCountyOH.org.

 About Miami University Small Business Development Center
The Miami University SBDC advises tenants, existing local business owners, and other entrepreneurs in the community on strategic planning, marketing, and gaining access to financial capital. The Small Business Development Center Program of Ohio is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC program is also funded in part by the Ohio Development Services Agency and by the financial assistance and resources of partners. Learn more at miamioh.edu/regionals/sbdc/.

 About America’s SBDC
America’s SBDC represents America’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) — the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies, and private partners and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can go to their local SBDCs for free face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training on a variety of topics. Learn more about how SBDCs are helping local businesses start, grow, and thrive by visiting americassbdc.org.