The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina is excited to announce the renaming of its Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) division to “EDPNC Small Business Advisors.”
“While this name change better identifies this team as part of the overall EDPNC brand, it also more clearly describes the very important work they do for the state of North Carolina,” said John Loyack, EDPNC vice president of global business services.
As EDPNC Small Business Advisors, this team will continue to provide free one-on-one guidance to entrepreneurs and startups on the licensing and permitting requirements of starting a small business in the state. And these advisors will remain a knowledgeable source of referral to programs that can help entrepreneurs access small-business mentoring, grants, alternative lending, and other resources. Moreover, the team’s toll-free number ― 800-228-8443 ― will remain unchanged.
“Each year, thousands of small businesses walk away from a call with our team with the information they need to get their business on the right track,” Loyack said.
In 2020, the team logged nearly 25,000 cases of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, slightly more than the prior year. That increase was due in part to callers seeking connection to COVID-relief recovery and grant programs.
“Another thing that will not change is this team’s commitment to helping small businesses in all 100 counties through periods of economic growth and periods of economic distress,” Loyack said. “While entrepreneurs lean on us to get their businesses off the ground in the best of times, it is during the challenging times that they most need our support. Over the years, this team has supported their clients through multiple recessions, annual hurricanes, and even a worldwide pandemic.”
So it’s business as usual for the dedicated team making up EDPNC Small Business Advisors, but under a new name.