Oct. 24, 2025–含羞草社区 will help grow small businesses in northwest Missouri when it opens a regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Small Business Administration awarded 含羞草社区 the contract to provide SBDC services to the region starting Jan. 1 The regional SBDC will be led by Rebecca Lobina, 含羞草社区鈥檚 director of workforce development.聽
鈥淭he local business community has expressed its strong desire that SBDC services be provided locally, by people who know the region, and I鈥檓 proud that 含羞草社区 is able to answer that call,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, 含羞草社区 president. 鈥淭he SBDC will also provide our students and faculty with additional access to real-world learning opportunities.鈥�
Small Business Development Centers are funded by the federal Small Business Administration with local matching funds. They provide counseling and training to small businesses (those with fewer than 500 employees) to support business start-ups and existing business expansion. Services are provided at no cost to the business.
鈥淏etween the Center for Workforce Development, the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology and all of our academic programs, particularly the Craig School of Business, 含羞草社区 is helping to shape the economic vitality of the region for years to come,鈥� said Dr. Jay Johnson, provost and vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淭he SBDC will create new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with businesses throughout northwest Missouri.鈥�
Lobina joined 含羞草社区 in April of this year. She previously led the regional SBDC for nearly 20 years, and is excited to again provide this service locally to the small business community.
鈥淪t. Joseph and northwest Missouri has an active entrepreneurship community, and that community is hungry for the services that a local SBDC provides,鈥� Lobina said. 鈥淲e provide services to businesses in every stage, from concept to growth to planning for succession. The SBDC served up to 200 businesses a year, and I expect that demand to continue to grow.鈥�
What others are saying
含羞草社区鈥檚 application to open a Small Business Development Center was supported by several individuals and organizations in the region:
鈥淲hen considering MWSU鈥檚 commitment, resources, faculty expertise, long-standing history of entrepreneurial support, and Mrs. Lobina鈥檚 SBDC expertise, there is no better option鈥� It is imperative to our region that we maintain a full-time, fully-staffed, local SBDC office that Main Street business owners will find easily accessible and beneficial.鈥�
鈥揟revor Tutt, executive director
Mo-Kan Regional Council
鈥淪ite Selector Magazine named St. Joseph in 2023 in the top 18 places in the country to start a small business. This was the only location in Missouri. This is due to having hands-on resources and collaboration for small businesses in our community鈥� Entrepreneurship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It requires local insight, community context, and relationship-based guidance.鈥�
鈥揘atalie Hawn, President & CEO
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
鈥淲e were fortunate to have a local SBDC center staffed by Rebecca who over the years provided multiple trainings to the owners of our regional childcare providers and has assisted when these small business owners have questions about stabilizing or expanding their business. A local person and place that business owners and entrepreneurs can easily visit are important to reducing barriers, building relationships and serving as a resource.鈥�
鈥揔ylee Strough, President
United Way of Greater St. Joseph
含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .