The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center office located at Clark University has been named the winner of the 2012 Service Excellence award, according to an announcement by Robert Nelson, Massachusetts U.S. Small Business Administration District Director.

The Service Excellence award is presented annually to recognize particular MSBDCs for excellence and innovation in providing training and counseling to clients. The MSBDC at Clark University was judged on the following criteria: (1) meets or exceeds the service center’s goals for long-term counseling, new businesses started, capital infusion, and client satisfaction; (2) creates and implements innovative programs; (3) participates in the professional development of counselors; (4) and is acknowledged by the local/regional small business community as an advocate for advancing opportunities for entrepreneurial development. The MSBDC at Clark University was nominated for this award by Craig Bovaird, president and owner of Built-Rite Tool & Die, Inc.

“The MSBDC at Clark University’s support for the small business community in central Massachusetts has been outstanding,” said Nelson. “This center is truly innovative in its approach and we at SBA celebrate their achievements with this award.”

The MSBDC at Clark University has been providing expert analysis and counsel at no cost to small businesses for 30 years. The center advises clients on a wide variety of topics including business plans, financial projections, and funding strategies. Although it is located at Clark University, the center works to reach clients through a network of 13 regional chamber of commerce partners with regularly scheduled advising appointments. During the past few years, this center has made significant gains in its use of technology to improve productivity. In August it hired the first technology business advisor in the MSBDC network to service technology related companies, and it is also investigating state wide online seminars to make trainings more accessible to clients.

The MSBDC at Clark University will be honored at an SBA awards celebration along with the other Massachusetts Small Business Week 2012 winners at an event at Fenway Park on June 6.

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. It’s Central Regional Office, located at Clark University, provides free and confidential one-to-one management advice and technical assistance to prospective and existing small businesses. SBDC business advisors assist clients in developing their business plans, marketing plans, financials, cash flows and other areas critical to ensure a successful venture. All programs are offered to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.