Small-Business Center to Open in Torrance

A small-business development center designed to provide free technical assistance to both experienced and budding entrepreneurs is expected to open its doors this month in Torrance.

The Southwest Los Angeles County Small Business Development Center, which will be operated by El Camino College faculty and outside consultants, will get help from Torrance and the federal government.

Business owners can turn to the center, which does not yet have a location, for advice and assistance with such things as development planning, marketing, automation, operations and computerization.

Torrance is to provide support services to the center and also serve as its fiscal agent. The federal government is providing the operating funds and last week gave El Camino a $122,910 grant to open and operate the center through the end of the year. Between $200,000 and $300,000 in federal grant money is expected to flow to the center next year.

Ollie Hadley, dean of the college’s business department, will be the administrator of the development center.