Privacy policy
North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Last Updated: October 13, 2026
1. Introduction
North Central Small Business Development Center (North Central SBDC), hosted by Onondaga Community College, respects the privacy of individuals who visit our website, request business advising services, participate in educational programs, or otherwise communicate with our Center.
As part of the New York Small Business Development Center network, North Central SBDC provides confidential, no-cost business advising and educational resources to small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs.
This Privacy Policy describes how information may be collected, used, maintained, and shared in connection with our website and services.
2. Information We Collect
Depending on how individuals interact with our website or services, we may collect the following categories of information:
**Personal and Contact Information**
- Name
- Business or organization name
- Mailing or business address
- Email address
- Telephone and mobile phone numbers
- Other contact information voluntarily provided
**Business and Service-Related Information**
- Business ownership and operational information
- Nature of requests for advising or assistance
- Business development needs and interests
- Information submitted through registration, inquiry, or service request forms
- Records associated with business advising activities, where applicable
**Educational Program Information**
- Course and training registrations
- Learning platform account information
- Course participation and completion information
- Information voluntarily submitted through educational activities
**Website Usage Information**
- Internet Protocol (IP) address
- Browser and device information
- Pages visited and website interactions
- Cookies and similar technologies, where applicable
- Other technical information used to support website functionality, security, and performance
We collect information provided voluntarily by individuals and information automatically generated through interactions with our website and associated systems.
3. How We Use Information
Information collected through our website and services may be used to:
- Respond to inquiries and requests for assistance
- Provide business advising and educational services
- Communicate with clients regarding their requested services
- Schedule appointments and coordinate advising activities
- Manage course registrations and educational participation
- Maintain client service and program records
- Evaluate program effectiveness and service delivery
- Prepare reports required by applicable funding agencies and program administrators
- Improve website functionality, accessibility, and user experience
- Maintain the security and integrity of our systems
- Fulfill applicable legal, regulatory, and institutional obligations
Personal information is used for legitimate program administration, service delivery, and related operational purposes.
4. Confidentiality of Business Advising Information
North Central SBDC recognizes that clients may provide sensitive business, financial, operational, or other proprietary information when requesting or receiving advising services.
Client advising information is handled in accordance with applicable New York SBDC program policies, institutional requirements, confidentiality practices, and relevant laws.
Access to client records is limited to authorized personnel and other individuals or organizations with a legitimate program-related need and appropriate authorization.
Information may be used for required program administration, reporting, evaluation, and oversight activities, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.
North Central SBDC does not sell confidential client advising information or use it for unrelated commercial purposes.
5. Information Sharing and Third-Party Service Providers
North Central SBDC does not sell personal information collected through its website or advising activities.
Information may be shared when reasonably necessary to:
- Provide requested services or administer Center programs
- Coordinate services within the New York SBDC network and affiliated institutional systems
- Support website hosting, learning platforms, communications, or other authorized technology services
- Fulfill applicable reporting, compliance, audit, or oversight requirements
- Comply with applicable laws, legal processes, or authorized governmental requests
- Protect the security and integrity of Center systems and information
Third-party service providers may process information on behalf of North Central SBDC to perform authorized services.
Information sharing is subject to applicable confidentiality requirements, contractual obligations, institutional policies, and legal requirements.
6. Mobile Information and SMS Privacy
North Central SBDC may offer individual SMS text messaging as a means of communicating with clients and prospective clients who have consented to receive text messages.
These communications are limited to client-specific service activities, including appointment scheduling, advising follow-up, responses to inquiries, and related notifications.
North Central SBDC does not use SMS for mass marketing campaigns or promotional solicitations.
North Central SBDC does not sell, rent, or share consumer personal information, including mobile phone numbers, with third parties or affiliates for marketing, promotional, or lead generation purposes.
Mobile information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.**
Mobile information may be processed by authorized telecommunications providers solely to facilitate delivery and administration of permitted SMS communications.
Clients may provide SMS consent verbally, in writing, or through an affirmative response to an email requesting authorization. Consent is documented in the client's information file.
SMS participation is voluntary and is not required to receive business advising services.
Clients may opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying **STOP** or requesting that Center staff discontinue text communications.
For additional information, please review our [SMS Messaging Terms and Conditions](https://www.northcentralsbdc.org/sms-terms).
7. Email Communications
North Central SBDC may communicate with individuals by email regarding requested services, appointments, educational programs, and related Center activities.
Individuals may also voluntarily subscribe to newsletters, announcements, or other informational communications where such options are offered.
Recipients may request removal from optional communications through available unsubscribe mechanisms or by contacting the Center.
Communications necessary to administer an existing advising relationship or respond to an individual request may continue through appropriate channels.
8. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website and associated educational platforms may use cookies or similar technologies to support functionality, maintain user sessions, improve performance, and understand website usage.
Cookies may be used to:
- Support account login and navigation
- Maintain user preferences
- Monitor website performance
- Identify technical problems
- Understand general patterns of website use
Visitors may control or restrict cookies through their browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Where applicable, additional information is available in our website's Cookie Policy.
9. Online Learning and Educational Platforms
North Central SBDC offers educational resources that may be delivered through third-party learning management or training platforms.
Individuals registering for online courses may be asked to provide personal information necessary to create an account, access educational content, or document participation.
Information collected through these platforms may be subject to additional privacy practices established by the applicable service providers.
We encourage users to review any supplemental privacy notices made available through those platforms.
10. External Websites and Links
Our website may contain links to websites operated by government agencies, educational institutions, financial organizations, service providers, and other third parties.
North Central SBDC does not control the privacy practices or security measures of external websites.
Visitors should review the privacy policies and terms of use of external websites before providing personal information.
11. Information Security
North Central SBDC takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or misuse.
Information may be maintained in systems operated by Onondaga Community College, the New York SBDC network, or authorized service providers.
Although reasonable safeguards are used, no electronic system or method of communication can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Individuals should avoid transmitting highly sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, passwords, or financial account credentials, through unsecured email, SMS, or general website inquiry forms.
12. Information Retention
Information collected through our website and services is retained in accordance with applicable legal requirements, institutional record retention policies, program administration requirements, and legitimate operational needs.
Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information, the system in which it is maintained, and any applicable funding or regulatory requirements.
When information is no longer required, it is managed or disposed of in accordance with applicable records management policies and procedures.
13. Accessing or Correcting Personal Information
Individuals who wish to review or request correction of personal information maintained by North Central SBDC may contact the Center using the information provided below.
Requests will be evaluated in accordance with applicable laws, program requirements, and institutional policies.
Certain records may be subject to legal or administrative restrictions regarding access, modification, retention, or disclosure.
14. Children's Privacy
This website and North Central SBDC business advising services are primarily intended for adults and individuals pursuing business or entrepreneurial activities.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under age 13 through general website activities without appropriate authorization.
If we become aware that information has been collected from a child in circumstances requiring parental consent, we will address the matter in accordance with applicable law and institutional policies.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
North Central SBDC may periodically revise this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in website functionality, service delivery, technology, institutional requirements, or applicable law.
Updated versions will be published on this page with a revised effective date.
We encourage visitors to review this policy periodically.
16. Contact Information
Questions about this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information may be directed to:
North Central Small Business Development Center
Onondaga Community College
4926 Onondaga Road, Room 400
Syracuse, NY 13215
Phone: 315-498-6070
Email: sbdc@sunyocc.edu
Website: https://www.northcentralsbdc.org
17. Institutional and Program Information
North Central SBDC is part of the New York Small Business Development Center network, administered by the State University of New York, and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Information handling, client confidentiality, reporting, and records management activities are subject to applicable federal and state requirements, institutional policies, and New York SBDC program procedures.
4926 Onondaga Road, Room 400, Syracuse, NY 13215
Phone number: 315.498.6070
Phone number: 315.498.6070
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North Central Small Business Development Center. Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the US.
