620.1003. Centers, duties and powers.

Centers, duties and powers.

620.1003. The Missouri small business developmentcenters in cooperation with appropriate department programsshall provide managerial and technical assistance to thesmall businesses. The centers shall also:

(1) Furnish one-to-one business counseling, managementtraining, and other related services, with special emphasison the development of management training programs using theresources of the business community, including thedevelopment of management training opportunities in existingbusiness, and with emphasis in all cases of sufficient scopeand duration to develop entrepreneurial and managerialself-sufficiency on the part of the individuals served;

(2) Assist in technology transfer, research andcoupling from existing sources to small businesses, andprovide technological assistance to small businesses;

(3) Maintain current information concerning federal,state and local regulations that affect small businesses andcounsel small businesses on methods of compliance;

(4) Maintain a working relationship and opencommunications with the governor, the general assembly, andthe department to address the various needs of the smallbusiness community, and develop working relationships withfederal departments and agencies, state departments andagencies, the financial and investment communities, legalassociations, local and regional private consultants, andlocal and regional small business groups and associations,or any other entity to the extent possible in order to helpaddress the various needs of the small business community;

(5) Provide and maintain a comprehensive library thatcontains current information and statistical data needed bysmall businesses;

(6) Build and maintain a network which allows smallbusinesses to identify experts who can further assist theirbusiness with highly technical or specialized needs;

(7) Provide services, to the extent possible, atlocations which are easily accessible to the individuals andsmall businesses of this state. Basic counseling servicesshall be provided free of charge, and other services may beprovided on a cost-reimbursement basis;

(8) Continue to upgrade and modify their* services, asneeded, in order to meet the changing and evolving needs ofthe small business community;

(9) Be authorized to enter into agreements with thedepartment to provide services under the provisions ofsections 620.500 to 620.506; and

(10) Be authorized to provide any service authorizedunder the federal Small Business Development Centers Act.

(L. 1992 S.B. 661 & 620 § 3)

*Word "its" appears in original rolls.