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The city’s Business Development Center [BDC] has partnered with SCORE Monmouth to beef up their offering of business mentors.

The BDC provides training to the area’s prospective entrepreneurs in the form of workshops, inexpensive office space and business mentors. Most of their services are low-cost, and those participating in workshops receive refunds upon completion. Their offerings are open to new business owners, people with ideas for businesses or entrepreneurs with experience who need some tips.

The BDC is headquartered in the Springwood Center and is owned by Interfaith Neighbors.

New partner SCORE Monmouth is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and will deliver mentoring services at no charge. It’s a volunteer organization with a network of 13,000 business mentors dedicated to assisting small businesses in getting off the ground.

“This partnership significantly expands our business mentoring capacity in both availability and industry expertise,” said Roger Boyce, the BDC’s director.

SCORE mentors will be available on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, and by appointment.

“We are excited about entering into this arrangement with the Business Development Center,” said Gene Wolf, chairman of SCORE Monmouth, in a prepared release. “SCORE Monmouth is happy to extend our mentoring and entrepreneurial experience to the residents of Asbury Park.”

For more information about mentoring services, click here. For a previous story about the BDC, click here.

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[Pictured above: Boyce with students Marlie Laken, center, and Robin Elliott-Preston.]

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