Claudia Allen joins the Pocatello Small Business Development Center

POCATELLO –The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Pocatello has a new finance, loan preparation and bookkeeping consultant. Claudia Allen recently joined the Region V SBDC in the Idaho State University College of Business. Region V covers Bannock, Power, Bingham, Oneida, Franklin, Caribou and Bear Lake counties and is part of a state-wide SBDC network.

The SBDC offers no-cost business consulting, low-cost training, research and product development to any new or existing small business. Last year, the SBDC helped start thirteen new businesses in our region and helped create 129 new jobs. Idaho SBDC clients consistently outperform their peers in capital formation and sales growth.Allen will offer new and existing businesses complete business consulting services at no cost to business owners and managers. She will be focusing on rural business development and helping businesses with financial management.

Allen started her own process serving business thirty years ago and also spent many years bookkeeping for home-based businesses. She knows QuickBooks well and enjoys helping businesses set up their financial management systems.

Claudia was the former Loan and Loss Mitigation manager and a Business Development officer at two local credit unions, so she understands the relationships between banking and small businesses. She is also fluent in Spanish and offers consulting to Spanish speaking clients.

“I am a big believer in grassroots growth and am excited to contribute to our local economic health,” said Allen.

“Claudia brings excellent banking and financial management experience to the SBDC, and I am grateful she can share her valuable experience with our local businesses,” said SBDC Regional Director, Ann Swanson.

To reach Allen for no-cost consulting on QuickBooks, business loan preparation, bookkeeping and other business questions call 282-2817.