Local Small Business Development Center Regional Director Wins National Award for Excellence

The Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Small Business Development Center Network announced today that SBDC Regional Director Quincy Walter of Wolf Point is the 2024 Montana "State Star," a national honor that recognizes outstanding performers from SBDCs around the country.

Walter will be honored in September at the national America's SBDC conference in Atlanta. Award nomination criteria names exemplary performance, significant contributions to the program and a strong commitment to small businesses as top qualifiers for the award.

"Quincy's experience and perspective bring great value to her clients," said SBDC State Director Chad Moore. "She's an asset to the entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northeast Montana, we're thrilled to have her on our team."

Walter joined the SBDC in 2021, hosted by Great Northern Development Corporation, providing confidential one-on-one consulting and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners across the seven-county Wolf Point region. She set a record in loan closings using innovations to help small regional businesses grow under her guidance and has hosted countless training sessions, covering a wide range of topics.

Walter has also helped other SBDC centers across the state by reaching out and collaborating, which has increased communication and efficiency, as well as prompted more SBDC clients to get the help they need to succeed. Additionally, due to her dedication to a local "Minnow Tank" competition, $5,000 dollars was awarded to each local start-up and existing small business which proved they had the best business idea.

In 2023, Walter counseled 103 clients, supported over 313 jobs and helped clients secure over $6 million in funding.

"I'm honored to receive the Montana State Star Award from the SBDC network. Thank you to my colleagues who submitted my name for this honor. To find a career where I get to continually help individuals start or grow their small businesses in northeastern Montana is a dream come true for me," Quincy Walter said. "This recognition reflects not only my dedication, but also the collective efforts of our incredible team at Great Northern Development Corporation to make success possible for all small businesses in our region."

The SBDC network is comprised of ten statewide regional SBDC offices overseen by the lead center at Commerce. The SBDC program is funded under a cooperative agreement between Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration, in partnership with local host organizations.

For more information on SBDC services and to find regional centers, visit sbdc.mt.gov.