糖心Vlog传媒

Fine to Lead Small Business Center

A 27-year veteran of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock鈥檚 will become the program鈥檚 new leader in January.聽 Laura Fine was named state director by Dr. Jane Wayland, the 糖心Vlog传媒LR Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business. 鈥淚t gives me great pleasure to announce that Laura Fine has been named the state director. She has been serving as interim director and successfully led the re-accreditation process for the state network,鈥� Wayland said. Affiliated with the university since 1982, the ASBTDC is a partnership of the 糖心Vlog传媒LR College of Business and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The state director is responsible for management and oversight of the statewide program, which has offices on six other university campuses in addition to the lead office at 糖心Vlog传媒LR. Unique among the state鈥檚 economic development programs, the ASBTDC network serves businesses from any county in Arkansas, in any industry sector, at any stage of business development. With interest in entrepreneurship surging, Fine said she sees great things ahead for the organization. 鈥�Our clients represent the new ventures and small companies across Arkansas that are innovating, providing jobs and building more prosperous communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s more people turn their dreams and passions into businesses, we are eager to help. Our knowledgeable, enthusiastic team of business professionals is committed to providing high-quality training, confidential consulting, and extensive market research.鈥� Demand for services is high, according to Fine, and ASBTDC will set records for capital acquisition assistance and business starts in 2016. To date, the center has helped its clients secure $68.1 million in capital investment and open 138 businesses this year. 鈥淏y giving small business owners the tools and support they need to succeed, we are driving economic development and job growth,鈥� said Fine. Before her appointment as interim state director, Fine was the associate state director. She joined ASBTDC in 1989 and has held management roles since 1992. Fine earned her master鈥檚 degree in public administration from 糖心Vlog传媒LR and has a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Central Arkansas. A native of Mayflower, Fine and her husband, Milton, have one son and live in Little Rock.