Information provided by Monarch SBDC. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
The UC Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Central Coast SBDC have merged to become the Monarch SBDC, a newly formed regional center serving the four counties of Monterey, San Benito, Mariposa, and Merced at no cost to businesses.
Same local service, expanded resources! The Monarch SBDC will be hosted by UC Merced and headquartered in Downtown Merced, with services continuing uninterrupted across all four counties. We want to emphasize that small business services in Monterey and San Benito Counties are not ending or leaving the area. The same expert business advising, training, and resources that local entrepreneurs have relied on for years will continue under the new Monarch SBDC, supported locally through the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC), which will remain a valued affiliate partner and service location in Salinas. MCBC will work closely with the Monarch SBDC team to ensure services stay easily accessible across the region, including ongoing operations of the Soledad and Monterey Outreach Centers, which will also continue providing uninterrupted support to local businesses. The Center has already been and will expand services in San Benito County.
Maisie Silva has accepted the position as the new Center’s Director. She has been part of the Central California SBDC Network for six years and brings deep ties to the region and a strong commitment to helping small businesses thrive. Silva is currently partnering with local organizations to develop new training programs for 2026 and explore additional opportunities for collaboration. “We have a deep love and appreciation for the small business communities across Central California, and we’re excited to continue expanding our programs and partnerships to meet local needs,” said Silva.
The Monarch SBDC provides a diverse variety of services and resources to local businesses, whether exploring starting a business, being a new business, or an established company. Expert SBDC advisors can assist with every aspect of business development, including:
- Buying or selling a business
- Accessing financing and capital
- Managing cash flow and budgets
- Tax planning
- Hiring and employee management
- Marketing, sales, and social media strategy
- Customer relations
- AI implementation and new technologies
- Government contracting
- Importing and exporting
For more information about business advising, training, or upcoming programs, contact the Monarch SBDC at info@UCMercedSBDC.com. To sign up for services, please continue to visit CentralCoastSBDC.com or the UCMercedSBDC.com until our new website launches at MonarchSBDC.com.
Connect with our local office in Salinas, schedule local appointments:
123 Capitol St, Ste B
Salinas CA 93901
Newsletter Sign Up: https://mailchi.mp/cf4fdcea649d/business-buzz
Phone: (831) 216-3000