Takeover of SBDC to push through

Commonwealth Development Authority Board Chair John S. Tenorio has dismissed the latest allegations leveled against the former director of the local Small Business Development Center as he assured this will have no impact on the decision to take over its management.

“Whether there is a personal problem between the Northern Marianas College and Jack Peters, that’s their problem. My only concern is that I don’t want to lose the extra financial aid,” he told in an interview.

Mr. Peters, who used to head the NMC-SBDC until his departure last April, has been accused by Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes of possible wrongdoing involving use of federal funds given to the center to jockey for his current position as director of the Pacific Islands SBDC Network based in the University of Guam.

These charges are the latest surrounding the controversial transfer of the local program to CDA, which has prompted CNMI leaders to call for investigations in light of alleged questionable decisions by its former director.

Mr. Peters has denied these claims as he noted that the U.S. Small Business Administration is not satisfied with the way NMC handled the local program which receives thousands of dollars in financial grants every year.

SBA will no longer renew its agreement with the college when its contract expires on Dec. 31. CDA has decided to take over the program beginning January 1, 2000.

Mr. Tenorio said he hopes to use the present facility of the SBDC at the As Terlaje campus of NMC, adding that he would seek a meeting with acting President Jack Sablan to discuss his proposal.

“We are working on it [because] I would like to use the facility, but if the college will not allow us to do so, we have to seek other places,” he told in an interview.

Informal discussion has taken place between CDA and NMC for possible partnership in terms of utilizing the SBDC facility and running the program, although Mr. Tenorio disclosed they have yet to reach any agreement.

The CDA chief previously has maintained that should the college refuse to work with them, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club will be asked to assist in carrying out the center’s tasks.

Former NMC President Agnes M. McPhetres vowed last month to look for other federal grants to be able to continue running the same program as she stressed that SBDC is better handled by higher learning institutions.