Pamela Young-Jacobs is the Sandhills Region Small Business Center Network’s newest regional director. Already working as SCC Small Business Center Director, this additional role will place Young-Jacobs as a coach and mentor to eight other small business center directors in the Sandhills region. She was selected based on her success in creating nine new initiatives that led to honors with SBCN Innovation Award for Services and Collaboration in November 2022.  

Through research and outreach, Young-Jacobs was able to identify specific projects unique to the needs of local small business owners that had not previously been available. 

“I am excited about the potential of the Sandhills region,” Young-Jacobs said. “The eight SBC Directors in the region are doing great things in their local communities.”   

The North Carolina Community Colleges Small Business Center Network is comprised of 58 small business centers at community colleges across the state. Small business centers provide confidential business counseling, seminars and webinars, and resource and referral information to support the start-up and growth of small businesses.  

“I want to help coach the entire team in their efforts to support the dreams of small business owners and generate strong economic impact in their local communities,” Young-Jacobs said. “That’s what we do best, by responding uniquely to the market and meeting small business owners where they are.” 

Small business center services are free.  Assistance is available to help with business plan development, sources of capital and loan preparation, marketing assistance, tax information and assistance with business registrations.  

Anne Shaw, state director of the SBCN, described Young-Jacobs as a “strong innovator and leader with the enthusiasm and drive that creates results.” Shaw explained that helping small business owners is an important investment in local economic development.  

“Small Business Centers are on the forefront of ensuring that early-stage entrepreneurs have the information and tools to launch their enterprises,” Shaw said. “As businesses grow, they can return to the centers to refine their business plans, learn about new business opportunities and participate with other small business owners in training and networking opportunities.”