Keith Olson, director of Williston State College's Small Business Development Center, has been named the N.D. Small Business Development Center State Star for 2011.
The Association of Small Business Development Centers is a national organization that represents all Small Business Development Center networks in the United States and its territories. Each year, each program nominates one of its consultants for the state star award given to recognize outstanding achievement by counselors serving businesses. Olson was selected as one of the best 50 consultants in the country for his efforts in the state of North Dakota. Through his office, he oversaw direct contact with 244 individuals, and delivered 1,935 one-on-one consultation hours to those clients.
"This is as much for the people I work with as it is for me," Olson said. "I get great support from the college and that allows me to do the job."
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Businesses assisted by the Williston region received $60,594,272 in capital to open or expand their businesses.
"I have great resources here," Olson said. "We have extremely good economic developers in the area that I work with from Williston, Crosby, Watford City and more. We also have a really good relationship with the area bankers. This award is as much for all of them as it is for me. Of all the regions in the state I have it really good here."