News

BRCC names Small Business Director

By Bill Moss, Published: March 28, 2019

Blue Ridge Community College has named Ben Smith director of BRCC's Small Business Center.

Smith succeeds Ben Kish who is now teaching full-time for the college in the business administration associate degree program.

Smith is responsible for administering the Small Business Center Program, providing confidential and free counseling to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, orchestrating instruction for seminars and workshops, and serving as the college liaison to the small business community in both Henderson and Transylvania Counties. He recently served as Director of Entrepreneurship and Education and Director of Small Business and Workforce Solutions for the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce in north Alabama. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration with a focus in Entrepreneurship.

“It's an honor to join Blue Ridge Community College to provide high-quality small business resources to our students and the local community," Smith said. "It's our intention to serve as an open door to any individual looking to pursue their dream of initiating or operating their own startup or small business.”

Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center is part of the Small Business Center Network, comprised of 58 Small Business Centers throughout North Carolina that support the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. North Carolina Community College System recently ranked Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center #2 of 58 for the amount of service and support provided to the community.