America’s SBDC Blog

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James Earl Carter Jr.: From Naval Officer to Small Business Champion

January 16, 2025

When James Earl Carter Jr. signed the legislation establishing the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program in 1980, he drew upon his own experiences as both a military officer and small business owner to understand the vital importance of supporting American entrepreneurs.

Military Service and Business Background

Born in Plains, Georgia, in 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. His subsequent seven-year naval career included service aboard submarines and significant contributions to the nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman Rickover. This engineering background and attention to detail would later serve him well in both business and public service.

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SBDCs Nationwide Celebrate the 8th Annual #SBDCDay March 20th, 2024

March 20, 2024

After 45 years, America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) still rate highly with their clients and live up to their reputation as America’s #1 most trusted small business resource. To celebrate the SBDC program’s continued success, the work they do, and the clients they serve, March 20th, 2024, will mark the 8th annual #SBDCDay and the program’s biggest celebration of the year. SBDC Day is a national movement to help share the small business success stories and notable impact SBDCs have fostered nationwide.

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