The Southeast Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has announced the return of Cheryl Sanchez as a SBDC Consultant for Prowers, Baca, and Kiowa Counties. Sanchez served as both SBDC Director and LCC Business faculty in 2000 - 2001 before becoming a full-time faculty member. She retired from LCC as the Vice President of Academic Services and Student Services in December 2017. 

Working in tandem with SE SBDC Director Rachel Patrick, Sanchez will give the SBDC a greater presence and capacity in the region to work with small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs. 

Prowers Economic Prosperity (PEP) applied for Prowers County to become a Certified Small Business Community in 2017. The Certified Small Business Community Program offers assistance to rural communities that want to take their entrepreneurship promotion and retention to the next level and be standard bearers for the State of Colorado. The three-year award allowed PEP to contract for an additional consultant’s services as well as technical assistance from SE SBDC. SE SBDC is augmenting these funds to provide additional coverage for Prowers, Baca, and Kiowa Counties. 

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is the current host of the SBDCs in Colorado. It partners with the Small Business Administration and a SBDC network of partners to help existing and new businesses grow and prosper. 

In turn, the Southeast Colorado SBDC is dedicated to providing consulting, training and resources for businesses in the Southeast Colorado region covering seven counties. The main office is located at Otero Junior College with a satellite office at Lamar Community College. 

Sanchez will be consulting from the Lamar office with hours Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and taking appointments for other days and times. 

Sanchez is a native of southeast Colorado. She has a master’s degree in Organizational Management and understands rural communities and small business operations. Her expertise is in leadership, management and planning. Through experience in the banking industry, small business ownership, community college business education and leadership roles, Sanchez has the business experience and skills that makes her a great fit for business consulting. 

“I’m excited to be a part of SBDC once again and working with Rachel,” commented Sanchez. “As a lifelong resident of Southeast Colorado, I look forward to helping area residents achieve their business goals and dreams and be a part of encouraging economic growth.” 

Sanchez’ office is located in the Lamar Community College administration building at 2401 South Main Street in Lamar. She can be reached at 719.336.1540 or cheryl.sanchez@lamarcc.edu.