On August 2, the Inyo County Board of Supervisors voted to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sierra Business Council to operate the Eastern Sierra Small Business Resource Center (ESSBRC). The approved ESSBRC business plan calls for the ESSBRC to transition from government inception to an autonomous organization operating as a nonprofit 501(c)(3). The Sierra Business Council, which has had a representative intimately involved with the project and the Working Group since inception, has offered to serve as a parent 501(c)(3) and fiscal agent for the ESSBRC, to hire the Executive Director and provide technical assistance and resources to support programming. This partnership will provide stability, resources, and staff to the ESSBRC, and will ensure that the ESSBRC is able to benefit from the deep knowledge that Sierra Business Council brings as the operator of six Small Business Development Centers in small mountain towns throughout the Sierra.

“It is exciting that the Eastern Sierra Small Business Resource Center (ESSBRC) is finally coming to fruition on the east side. The services and support the ESSBRC will provide to existing businesses and new entrepreneurs in our community will create invaluable contributions to their growth and success. Inyo County has been involved with this project from its inception and continues that support by having Sierra Business Council operate the ESSBRC going forward. Sierra Business Council has a 20+ year history of implementing specific projects in our region. Currently, the organization operates the Small Business Development Center in the Truckee/Tahoe region with numerous other sub-offices around the Sierra and is well positioned to manage the Eastern Sierra Small Business Resource Center. Sierra Business Council welcomes the opportunity to nourish and grow economic empowerment in our community.” Allan Pietrasanta, Board President for SBC