Community Business Resource Center to close after 10 years

After nearly 10 years, the Community Business Resource Center will cease service to small business owners in communities of less than 50,000 residents throughout Nevada.

Funding ended for the non-profit agency, which had been supported by a community development block grant at an average of $180,000 a year.

As a program of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, the Community Business Resource Center based in Carson City was a research arm,working behind the scenes, says Gary Lyon, executive director.

"Our goal is to help people make connections and open doors," Lyon said last week.

The agency provided services to about 1,000 small businesses, Lyon estimated.With a close date of June 30, it is now referring people to other agencies.

U.S.

Department Housing and Urban Development grants usually fund infrastructure: tangible services such as public water systems, said Lyon.

Because it provided an intangible service, CBRC had historically been the odd duck in the group.

A report by the Federal Reserve Bank, he said, shows Nevada has the highest business failure rate in the nation After June 24, inquiries will be referred to other agencies."I hope an agency or group will step up to providing services to the rural counties," Lyon said.