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News Release USDA Forest Service Washington, D.C.
FS-0138	Contact: Joe Walsh, 202-205-1134

FOREST SERVICE AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS SIGN AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2001 -- The USDA Forest Service and the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) today signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to the use of improved business practices by the Forest Service and its many permit holders and partners.

“Most of the businesses that provide public services on Forest Service land are small businesses,” said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, “This agreement creates the framework that will give the Forest Service a better understanding of how to help these businesses succeed and how to best communicate with owners.”

Under today’s agreement, the ASBDC will work with the Forest Service to improve the agency’s understanding of business plans, financial documents, marketing, and other current business practices and concepts. ASBDC’s services will include business training, as well as consultation with Forest Service permit holders and partners. The Forest Service will work with the association to implement agency-wide training tailored to the recreation special use program and the recreation fee program. In addition, the Forest Service will use local small business development centers to review the business capabilities of current and potential special-use permittees and to critique recreation fee demonstration projects.

“The Forest Service will encourage small business development based on current best practices and state-of-the-art business technology, with the goal of improved financial accountability and improved services for visitors,” Bosworth said.

The U.S. Small Business Administration administers the Small Business Development Center Program to provide management assistance to current and prospective small business owners. The program is a cooperative effort of the private sector; the educational community; and federal, state and local governments.

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