ABOUT
US
Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation
The Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation
(SLBDC) is located in Southwestern Ontario, directly
across the border from Port Huron, Michigan on the
shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River in beautiful
Sarnia, Ontario. The SLBDC is a non-profit community
based corporation funded by the Federal Government
through the Community Futures Program.
Our mandate is to help small business in Lambton County
be more successful, thereby creating and maintaining
permanent jobs. Assistance is available to existing
business owners as well as those people who are considering
starting a new business.
The SLBDC began operations in March 1988 with funding
assistance from the Federal Government. The SLBDC
provides high-caliber business counselling and consulting
assistance for new and existing business and operates
a loan fund specifically for small businesses. We,
at the SLBDC, believe that small business can continually
generate new, good employment opportunities if the
foundations are there - counselling, consulting and
loans.
The SLBDC is governed by a seven-member volunteer
Board of Directors. Members represent a cross-section
of business sectors, areas of expertise and business
locations in the community. The day-to-day activities
of the SLBDC are carried out by eight full-time employees
and one part-time consultant. The General Manager,
a Chartered Accountant, has excellent financial and
management skills. A Business Consultant monitors
loans and looks after general inquires while the Business
Consultant - Entrepreneurial Programs and OSEB Administrative
Assistant oversee the Self Employment Benefit (OSEB)
Program, funded by the Human Resources Development
Canada (HRDC). The Community Economic Development
(CED) Consultant maintains up-to-date statistics on
the community and prepares reports on an as-needed
basis.
Objectives of the SLBDC
To create an environment that helps small business
start up and prosper, helps existing business expand
and reduces small business failures. This objective
is achieved by:
providing counselling and consulting services targeted
to small business
monitoring clients and providing hands-on assistance,
if necessary
helping small business become bankable with large
financial institutions
providing small business with up-to-date commercial
and technical resources to research their market.
Maintaining a loans fund specifically for the needs
of small business
offering training in basic business practices.
Maintaining an accessible and visible location.
We Provide
Financing: Loans to a maximum of $150,000 at a rate
of prime + 2-4% are available to businesses that are
unable to obtain any or all of the financing they
require under reasonable terms from traditional lenders.
Monthly repayment terms are negotiated in the business'
best interest while partial or full repayment can
be made at any time without penalty. Full security
is required. Consulting & Counselling: Services
covering all areas of business management, ranging
from general business start-up information to specific
questions about marketing, employee management, bookkeeping
and taxation are available at no charge to the client.
The SLBDC provides assistance with the preparation
of detailed business plans and financial projections.
Information on government services and programs is
also available and a resource library is open to the
public during business hours.
You Provide
A Plan: All businesses require a business plan
that describes the business, lists objectives, analyses
the market, details the marketing strategy and financial
plan, and that provides any other relevant information.
Experience: Clients should have the experience
and skills necessary to succeed in the business venture.
Commitment: Clients must demonstrate a serious
commitment to making the business a success and plan
to invest some of their own money. Security on business
and/or personal assets will be required.
Character: Most importantly, clients must
demonstrate a history of honesty and integrity in
their dealings with creditors and other business contacts.
 THINKING
OF STARTING A
BUSINESS?
Check
out our Business Start Up Information Package
|
|
COMPUTERS
& INTERNET ACCESS!
Computer
and Internet access is Available for business
use at NO COST in the SLBDC's computer lab!
|
|
