Fiserv advances small business success through gift to UGA
This story was originally published on the Small Business Development Center website in July 2023.
Fiserv made a significant investment in the future of small businesses in Georgia with a generous grant to the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC). This gift will build on the successes of a previous Fiserv grant by funding a business consultant position at UGA SBDC at Morehouse College for an additional two years.
One of 18 UGA SBDC locations across the state, the UGA SBDC at Morehouse is a collaboration between the University of Georgia and the Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. The center, which opened in 2020, supports economic growth in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood and the greater Fulton County area.
In 2021, Fiserv made a previous gift to the UGA SBDC which led to the addition of a business consultant position at UGA SBDC at Morehouse College, a position currently held by Terence Strong. This second grant will continue to fund that position, further supporting small business growth and development in that area.
“We are proud of the work that Terence has been able to do, thanks to Fiserv’s generous contribution,” said Donald Lamar, area director at UGA SBDC at Morehouse College. “We look forward to continuing to build and expand on this work in the greater Fulton County area.”
SBDC business consultants work one-on-one with small business owners, providing a wide range of educational and consulting services to help entrepreneurs meet their business goals. Since the consultant position was added at UGA SBDC at Morehouse College, business owners in the area have a trusted source to lean on to learn important business concepts as they work through challenging hurdles and plan for the future of their business.
“We are so thankful for our partnership with Fiserv and their commitment to small businesses around the state,” said Kyle Hensel, director of continuing education at UGA SBDC. “Gifts like these help us get complimentary consulting and education in the hands of small business owners across the state.”
“We are proud to be part of the University of Georgia’s efforts to create structural and sustainable inclusion throughout the state of Georgia while elevating business as a force for good,” said Vivian Greentree, senior vice president and head of global corporate citizenship at Fiserv. “This partnership represents Fiserv’s commitment to main street and the entire entrepreneurship ecosystem to truly fuel growth of our communities, creating sustainable business and shared value for all.”
In comparison to other Georgia businesses, established businesses receiving long term assistance from UGA SBDC experience a higher rate of sales and employment growth. Over the past five years, UGA SBDC clients have started 1,968 businesses and created 13,123 jobs resulting in $9.2 billion in sales.
