Boost to small businesses

Small-business owners and entrepreneurs in Chico and neighboring communities just got a big boost from the federal government. That’s right, the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center at Chico State has been awarded a $616,586 grant as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

The money has been designated to expand opportunities for small businesses to get training and advice, including reaching out to rural areas and partnering with other agencies to help businesses affected by foreign trade.

The act sets aside $50 million for the federal Small Business Administration to award regional development centers. The Northeastern California center, which includes five service centers and serves 22 counties, was one of the first six to get part of that money.