Volpe pushes for outreach at NKU's Small Business Dev Center

A month into her new job as director of the Small Business Development Center at NKU, Rebecca Volpe wants to expand the center's outreach and talent.

"I want to get out there and engage the businesses and community stakeholders who can use SBDC's services to meet the needs that they have," says Volpe, former business retention and recruitment specialist for the city of Covington. "I also want to really utilize contracting with professionals who are experts in their fields. I think the SBDC can be a hub to bring people together."

Volpe comes to SBDC with a wide range of business development experience. A Michigan native, she earned both a BS and MPA from Northern Kentucky University and is a certified economic development finance professional. Among her skills are credit analysis, grant writing and strategic planning. In the last four years, she helped businesses and real estate developers attract $30 million in capital.

Volpe wants to bring that grassroots business development experience to her new work with small businesses in Northern Kentucky.

"I have an understanding of the basics of community development, and the need to create a place where people have access to economic prosperity," Volpe says. "I want to help create that opportunity for business owners. I want to be engaged with fearless people starting businesses, or [those] who have an existing business."

SBDC offers free, one-on-one business services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton and Pendleton counties. SBDC focuses on getting businesses ready for market, or expanding existing businesses by helping with market research, competitive intelligence, market validation, market segmentation and more.

Find out more on the Northern Kentucky SBDC website.

By Feoshia H. Davis
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