ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce Monday announced  a new partnership with Sauk Valley Community College Small Business Development Center in Dixon, to extend its services to businesses in Rochelle and Ogle County.  
A temporary office has been set up at the Rochelle Municipal Utilities (RMU) Customer Service Building, 333 Lincoln Highway, in downtown Rochelle.  Clients can meet with SBDC representatives by appointment.
The Sauk Valley SBDC-Rochelle began serving clients on Jan. 1 because of the financial support of area stakeholders. The City of Rochelle, RMU, Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corporation, Central Bank Illinois, Holcomb Bank, Stillman Bank and First State Bank committed funds to the project. The State of Illinois will match $10,000 raised locally, adding additional resources. The chamber coordinated the fundraising efforts.
Services

The center provides a variety of services to existing and potential small businesses, nonprofit organizations, economic development organizations, and chambers of commerce including specialized webinars, educational workshops, and Lunch and Learn programs in collaboration with Kishwaukee Community College.
Core services will include confidential consultations, specialized training, business start-up assistance, legal structures, business plan development, financial analysis and projections, marketing and promotion, government procurement, market research, and export assistance. It also helps owners looking to retire with succession planning. The SBDC has access to state resources and databases to promote community growth.
Rochelle’s Commercial & Retail Development Coordinator and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Peggy Friday sees the SBDC as a critical link to help expand the small industrial, commercial, and retail mix in Rochelle and retain existing businesses by making them more competitive.
“Starting or running a small business can be an exciting endeavor, but having someone to provide professional advice can be an important component in an entrepreneurs’ success,” David Buchen, Sauk Valley SBDC Director said. “The SBDC provides these services to our clients at no cost thanks to the financial support of the Rochelle community.”
“Being able to navigate someone’s dreams into reality is such an honor, and I’m excited that the SBDC is able to work with the small businesses of Rochelle and contribute to their identity,” Emily Zimmerman, specialist with SBDC, said.
To schedule a private meeting in Rochelle call 815-835-6244.  Visit the Sauk Valley College Small Business Development Center website at svcc.edu/sbdc.
About the SBDC
The SBDC is part of a statewide network of regional centers.  With grant support from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce, resources are combined with those from Sauk Valley Community College, the private sector, and government to help business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs launch their businesses.