MoWest awarded Small Business Development Center contract

Oct. 24, 2025-Missouri Western State University will help grow small businesses in northwest Missouri when it opens a regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Small Business Administration awarded MoWest the contract to provide SBDC services to the region starting Jan. 1 The regional SBDC will be led by Rebecca Lobina, MoWest's director of workforce development.

"The local business community has expressed its strong desire that SBDC services be provided locally, by people who know the region, and I'm proud that MoWest is able to answer that call," said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, MoWest president. "The SBDC will also provide our students and faculty with additional access to real-world learning opportunities."

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.

"Between the Center for Workforce Development, the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology and all of our academic programs, particularly the Craig School of Business, MoWest is helping to shape the economic vitality of the region for years to come," said Dr. Jay Johnson, provost and vice president of academic affairs. "The SBDC will create new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with businesses throughout northwest Missouri."

Lobina joined MoWest 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.

"St. Joseph and northwest Missouri has an active entrepreneurship community, and that community is hungry for the services that a local SBDC provides," Lobina said. "We 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."

What others are saying

MoWest's application to open a Small Business Development Center was supported by several individuals and organizations in the region:

"When considering MWSU's commitment, resources, faculty expertise, long-standing history of entrepreneurial support, and Mrs. Lobina's SBDC expertise, there is no better option… 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."
-Trevor Tutt, executive director
Mo-Kan Regional Council

"Site 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… Entrepreneurship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It requires local insight, community context, and relationship-based guidance."
-Natalie Hawn, President & CEO
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce

"We 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."
-Kylee Strough, President
United Way of Greater St. Joseph

Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. MoWest is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.