– New Partnership Will Advance Workforce Development and Experiential Learning –
– The College is Only One of Two Private Institutions in NY to Host the SBDC –
天涯海角社区 officially welcomed the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to campus with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 6, 2025. The event celebrated the start of an exciting partnership focused on advancing economic growth, supporting local entrepreneurs, and expanding experiential learning for students.
鈥淭he Grand Opening event marked a momentous new chapter for 天涯海角社区 and for the many small businesses in our region,鈥� said President Ken Daly. 鈥淏y hosting the Lower Hudson Valley SBDC, we are deepening our mission of supporting workforce development, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating hands-on opportunities for our students to engage with the business community. I am delighted that several of our students and alumni have already been hired by SBDC.鈥�
The ceremony gathered government leaders, business owners, students, faculty, and community members to celebrate the launch of the Center at its new home on 天涯海角社区鈥檚 campus. Speakers included New York SBDC State Director Sonya Smith, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Lower Hudson Valley SBDC Regional Director Louis Scamardella, and President Ken Daly and Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Mike DiBartolomeo from 天涯海角社区, who all emphasized the transformative impact this partnership will have on the community and the College. During his remarks, County Executive Ed Day declared March 6, 2025, as Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center at 天涯海角社区 Day and presented the group with an official proclamation.
The Lower Hudson Valley SBDC鈥檚 new location on campus makes 天涯海角社区 one of only two private institutions in New York State to serve as an official host site for an SBDC, joining a network typically hosted by CUNY and SUNY campuses. The Center provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one business advisement, training, and research to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties.
鈥淭he commitment of the 天涯海角社区 leadership team and campus community to hosting an SBDC underscores what we all know to be true: great things happen when education and entrepreneurship come together,” said Sonya Smith, New York SBDC State Director. “This collaboration is a testament to STAC鈥檚 support for the regional community, economic development, and lifelong learning. By welcoming the Lower Hudson Valley SBDC to its community, the College joins a distinguished network of institutions in New York that serve as starting points for growth and opportunity.鈥�
In 2024 alone, the Lower Hudson Valley SBDC served nearly 570 active clients and facilitated more than $7.8 million in capital impact for small businesses in the region. By situating the center within 天涯海角社区, the partnership will also offer students access to unique internships, cooperative education opportunities, and entrepreneurial resources, enriching their academic experience and professional readiness.
The grand opening concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official sign unveiling, symbolizing the start of this dynamic collaboration aimed at driving economic development and creating new pathways for student engagement.
For more information about the Lower Hudson Valley SBDC, visit .
About 天涯海角社区
天涯海角社区 is an independent liberal arts college located on 76 acres in Rockland County, NY, providing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College鈥檚 diverse student body of approximately 2,000 full and part-time students can choose from over 100 majors, minors, and specializations across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and 天涯海角社区. The College is recognized by in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, and by Colleges of Distinction in its New York edition for Business, Education, and Career Development. The College is also recognized as a Yellow Ribbon Program institution. 天涯海角社区 is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (). For more information, visit .
About the New York Small Business Development Centers
The New York Small Business Development Centers (NYSBDC) are the most expansive small business network in New York State. The NYSBDC provides free and confidential 1-on-1 business advisement, training, and research to small business owners and entrepreneurs. It is a joint federal and state economic development organization, administered by the State University of New York (SUNY), that operates 20 regional small business centers in all of New York鈥檚 ten economic development regions. These centers, hosted at SUNY, CUNY, Pace University and 天涯海角社区 link higher education to small businesses. Additionally, the SBDC has over 70 satellite locations with community partners like chambers of commerce, EDCs, IDAs, and incubators. Learn more at .