America’s SBDC Blog

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Why AI Training is the New Competitive Standard for Small Business

March 4, 2026

Accessing AI tools in 2026 is easy–almost inevitable–but maximizing them to their full potential is where the real challenge lies.

While most small businesses and advisors have begun experimenting with basic AI tasks, few have the expert guidance required to identify which specific tools truly serve their unique needs. The difference between simply using AI and strategically leveraging it comes down to having trusted partners who understand your use case and can guide you toward success. 

To bridge this gap, America’s SBDC is committed to providing vetted, practical, and hands-on resources through our 2026 AI Educational Offerings.

Introducing New AI U Modules for SBDC Business Advisors

To ensure our small business community receives the highest level of guidance, we have refreshed our advisor AI training online platform. AI U has released five updated online modules specifically developed by a curriculum committee of SBDC staff who understand the day-to-day reality of advising small businesses.

 These self-paced modules provide a rigorous foundation for our advisors to lead the way.

What’s Inside the New AI U Modules

  • AI Basics for Business Advising Success: Build a strong foundation in AI tools, data privacy, and workflow optimization.
  • Marketing and Sales with AI: Support clients in optimizing content, SEO, and customer insights.
  • AI Strategy for Small Business Finance: Learn to automate accounting tasks, improve accuracy, and streamline financial workflows, along with analyzing data and creating financial projections.
  • Leveraging AI for Business Operations: Guide clients in applying AI to automate tasks, improve resource management, and enhance productivity.
  • Agent of Change: Demystifying AI Agents: An entirely new topic covering AI Agents and their specific use for SBDC clients.

Advisors receive a personalized certificate of completion for each module, ensuring they are ready to provide the most current AI strategies to their clients.

Expanding Your Team's Potential: Grow with Google Partnership

Beyond our advisor training, we are proud to offer a powerful additional training opportunity for business owners. We have collaborated with Grow with Google to offer the Google AI Professional Certificate at no cost to our small business community.

Taught by AI experts at Google, the course is self-paced and can be completed in under 10 hours.

Practical AI Skills Your Team Will Master

Your team will complete over 20 hands-on activities to practice real-world tasks:

  • Vibe Coding: Build custom apps without writing a single line of code.
  • Content Creation: Produce professional-grade images, videos, presentations, and marketing materials.
  • Strategic Planning: Turn goals into comprehensive project plans and detailed timelines.
  • Data Analysis: Clean, analyze, and visualize data to make smarter business decisions.

Bonus Offer: Upon enrollment, participants receive 3 months of no-cost access to Google Workspace Business Standard and Google AI Pro.

Get Started with America’s SBDC 2026 AI Educational Offerings

Training is the bridge between AI potential and real-world business growth. Whether you are an advisor looking to sharpen your expertise or a business owner ready to upskill your workforce, we have the trusted resources you need.

SBDC Advisors: Access the new V2 modules in the AI U LMS to start your certification journey. 

Small Business Owners: Enroll your team for the Google AI Professional Certificate at no cost using this link: goo.gle/smb-sbdc

nTechQuity: How an Intergenerational Program is Closing the Digital Divide

October 8, 2025

In her former information technology roles, Todd Rennae Boone witnessed a wide digital divide. “I worked with young people in marginalized communities,” she explained. “What struck me was that the only difference in learning wasn’t their ability, but the resources to which they had access.” 

Fueled by a desire to bridge this gap, Todd launched nTechQuity Community Learning, a unique initiative fostering intergenerational learning. At nTechQuity, she matches tech-savvy kids up with not-so-tech-savvy seniors, and the knowledge shared and the relationships forged are transformative.

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Blooming Success: How the SBDC Helped Taylor Flower Patch Grow

December 10, 2024

At Taylor Flower Patch, our story is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of community support. I’m Jenny Campbell, co-owner of this beautiful flower farm nestled in the heart of Taylor, Mississippi, just south of Oxford. Today, I want to share how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) transformed our dream into a thriving reality.

From Hobby to Business

Gardening has always been more than just a hobby for me—it’s a way to connect with the earth and bring joy to others. When my husband and I purchased our property, we knew we wanted to create something special. With encouragement from my husband and sister, I began to see the potential of turning my love for flowers into a sustainable business.

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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Protect Yourself in the Digital World

October 1, 2024

As we enter October, it’s time to recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This annual event serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of staying safe and secure in our increasingly digital world. With cyber threats evolving and becoming more sophisticated, it’s essential for individuals and organizations to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect their digital assets.

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