North Central
Small Business Development Center

We help people make informed decisions and take informed action.

We provide no-cost, confidential advisement to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, whether they are just getting started of have been in business for generations.

Our customized advisement approach

Our case-management advisement program delivers customized one-to-one counseling that helps entrepreneurs determine the best approach to achieving their goals.

Accessibility

We can meet with clients virtually, over-the-phone, or in-person at one of our many locations.

Upcoming Educational Experiences

Going Global: How to Find Customers, Get Paid, and Reduce Export Risk

NYS Contractor Financing Program: Scalable Funding to Bridge the Gap to Growth

Cut Import Costs & Improve Cash Flow: Tariffs, FTZs, Bonded Warehouses & Smart Duty Strategies

Exporting 101 & Incoterms® Made Simple: Sell Internationally & Avoid Costly Shipping Mistakes

October Fast Track to Small Business Workshop (In-Person & Online)

NOTE: This event is virtual
Date: Sept 9th, 2026

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Decription:

This webinar will provide an overview of key federal resources and strategies available to support U.S. companies engaged in international trade. Representatives from the U.S. Commercial Service and EXIM Bank, along with Kellie Greene, will discuss services that help businesses identify export opportunities, connect with international partners, navigate international payment methods, and manage export-related risks. The session will also cover financing and risk mitigation tools designed to support export growth and strengthen competitiveness in global markets. Whether you are exploring exporting for the first time or looking to expand your international activities, this webinar will offer insight into resources available throughout the export process.

Presented by John Tracy, Senior International Trade Specialist with the US Commercial Service, & Jonathan Brady, Lead Business Development Specialist with EXIM Bank

NOTE: This event is HYBRID.

The Fast Track to Business Start-Up Workshop is an intensive Hybrid 20 hour workshop* that is offered IN-PERSON or VIRTUALLY over a 3 day period. This workshop will be facilitated by a Certified Small Business Advisor, Kellie Greene, and includes a variety of presenters who are all experts in different facets of small business start-up.

Dates: Oct 6th, 8th, 13th 2026

Time: 9am - 4:30pm (each day)

Location: SUNY Oswego Office of Workforce Innovation and External Relations

121 East First Street, Oswego, NY 13126

Topics will include:

- Business Plan Development

- Legalities

- Accounting/Bookkeeping

- Marketing/Branding

- Social Media

- Financial Management

- Business Financing Options

- HR/Payroll

- Commercial Real Estate

- Risk Management

HYBRID means that the workshop offers both in-person and virtual attendance options.

*The Fast Track workshop also meets the requirements of the NYS SEAP (Self Employment Assistance Program) through the Department of Labor. Facilitated by Certified NY SBDC Business Advisor Kellie Greene

Note: This event is virtual

Date: Oct 21st, 2026

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Description:

Presented By: Cooperative Federal

Donaldo McPherson Gonzalez, Loan Officer

Meagan Weatherby, Development & Communications Manager

The NYS Contractor Financing Program is for businesses that are Prime or Subcontractors working on government-backed Projects and Procurements.

Loan proceeds can be used for: Working Capital, Improvement of Machinery or Equipment, other costs related to eligible Contacts
This program is designed to support contract project deployment, advances against inventory, construction costs, purchase orders, managing payables and receivables, contract finance costs, and general working capital.
Must meet membership eligibility requirements within our service area for Business Loans includes the Central New York region: Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Cortland and Cayuga counties.
The NYS Contractor Financing Program is made possible, in part, through a partnership with NYS Empire State Development

NOTE: This event is virtual
Date: Sept 24th, 2026

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Description:

Ready to grow your business beyond the U.S. market? This introductory session provides a practical roadmap for small businesses looking to begin exporting, covering everything from assessing export readiness and identifying target markets to completing your first international shipment. Participants will learn the fundamentals of export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin, while also exploring the most common mistakes new exporters make and how to avoid costly delays, penalties, and missed opportunities. The session will also simplify Incoterms®, explaining how they determine costs, responsibilities, and risk between buyers and sellers, and how selecting the right terms can help prevent disputes, improve contract clarity, and support more informed shipping and pricing decisions. By the end of the session, you will have the knowledge and confidence to navigate international trade and successfully take your first steps into global markets.

NOTE: This event is virtual
Date: Oct 1st, 2026

Time: 12pm - 1pm

Description:

Managing import costs is critical to staying competitive in today’s global marketplace. This flagship session provides a comprehensive look at the strategies small businesses can use to reduce duties and improve cash flow. You will learn how tariffs are determined through HS codes and classification, and how errors in classification can increase costs. We will explore practical duty reduction strategies, including the use of free trade agreements and duty drawback. The session also includes an in-depth comparison of Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) and bonded warehouses, explaining how each can be used to defer, reduce, or eliminate duties. Through real-world examples, you will gain insight into how to evaluate these tools and apply them to your business to achieve meaningful cost savings.