SOU’s Small Business Development Center to Close After 41 Years
University cites budget challenges and state rejection of joint proposal with Rogue Community College
ASHLAND, Ore. — Southern Oregon University (SOU) has announced that its Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Medford will permanently close to the public at the end of December, ending more than four decades of service to Rogue Valley entrepreneurs.
The decision follows an unsuccessful effort between SOU and Rogue Community College (RCC) to consolidate their centers and maintain U.S. Small Business Administration funding. SOU officials say the state office overseeing Oregon’s SBDC network rejected the proposal, leaving the university without a sustainable funding path.
“We definitely knew that the budget environment would mean less capability to subsidize the SBDC’s operations, but we did in earnest work with the state to find a creative solution to continuing services,” said SOU President Rick Bailey. “We went back-and-forth with the state in our effort to create a single center for Jackson and Josephine counties – despite our budget issues – but ultimately were unable to move our proposal forward.”
The closure comes as SOU undergoes a major restructuring plan aimed at creating a smaller, more financially resilient institution.
Four Decades of Support for Local Businesses
For 41 years, SOU’s SBDC has supported more than 11,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering training, business advising, and market research resources. Located in the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford, the center has also worked closely with SOU’s School of Business, providing experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty partnerships on research projects.
“The Rogue Valley owes a sincere debt of gratitude to all the amazing staff at the SOU SBDC and Market Research Institute for their service to our community and our region,” Bailey said. “They have been role models of dedicated, heart-centered service.”
End of a Unique Model
SOU’s SBDC is the only university-managed center remaining in Oregon. The state’s 17 other SBDCs are operated by community colleges. Eastern Oregon University closed its SBDC in 2024.
Each SBDC in Oregon operates in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Business Oregon, offering guidance, workshops, and online resources to help businesses start, grow, and thrive.
With SOU’s closure, SBDC services in Jackson and Josephine counties will continue through RCC’s network of programs.