In October, 2009, Black Hills State University established the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SDCEO), funded by a five-year Small Business Administration grant, to provide management and technical assistance, comprehensive training, mentoring and counseling for entrepreneurs.

The SD CEO is a part of a network of more than 175 community-based centers nationwide which have been established through the SBA Women's Business Funding.  The goal of the Center is to work with people throughout the state to assist them in reaching their goal of establishing and successfully managing their own businesses.

BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp comments:  "The SD CEO will serve as a resource for people who have a goal of owning their own business.  BHSU, which has one of the largest business programs in the state, views the establishment of this Center as another way we can work with communities to strengthen the economy and create opportunities for entrepreneurs and their future employees."

The SD CEO will work with aspiring entrepreneurs and provide support through education, counseling, training, and advocacy in all stages of business development.

This Center is an additional resource to businesses, complementing the work of the already-existing Center for Business, Entrepreneurship & Tourism (CBET).  CBET's goal is to incubate start-up businesses within a facility located in Spearfish, and aligned with BHSU, to provide entrepreneurs from the region with affordable space, resources, management and mentoring to accelerate their success and create jobs and revenue for the region.