PORTLAND – The Maine Small Business Development Centers have launched a new information number: (800) 679-SBDC.

According to Maine SBDC Director John Massaua, the number is being provided as a service to Maine’s existing and prospective small-business owner-operators.

“Folks from around the state can find the nearest Maine SBDC service center by calling (800) 679-SBDC and then accessing the appropriate regional phone number information via a county-specific telephone information phone tree,” Massaua said.

“One of the biggest problems facing Maine’s small businesses today, as identified in a recent small-business needs analysis, is knowing where to find management assistance for their businesses,” he said. “The new 800 number intends to help guide small-business owner-operators and managers to such assistance throughout the Maine SBDC network and then as appropriate and necessary to other supporting service providers.”

Maine SBDCs provide comprehensive business management assistance, training and information services to Maine’s micro- and small-business community.

The Maine SBDC program is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration in association with the SBA-SBDC, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the University of Southern Maine and leading hosting economic and-or community development corporations. Administered on the Portland campus of USM, the Maine SBDC currently operates eight service centers and 20 outreach offices throughout the state.