A Very Brief Review of the History and Development of the Small Business Management Program

The Small Business Management program was developed over a three-year period pursuant to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, starting in 1972.  The Small Business Management program utilizes the many years of experience of the University of Minnesota’s very successful Farm Business Management program which provides education for farm families and started in 1952.

Testing and refinement of the program was accomplished through the cooperation of Minnesota area vocational technical institutes, with additional testing in programs representing minority cultures.  The project directors were Drs. Ed Persons and Gordon Swanson, assisted by  Dr. Rodger Palmer, whose benefit-cost analysis study showed a –a return to the community of $5 for every $1 spent.

The Small Business Management Program has been offered in our area since the late 1980s. We are hopeful the Program will continue for another 30+ years.