On June 3, Kelly Asbury, director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center at State Fair Community College (SFCC), received certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).
A news release from the college says EDFP certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC’s intensive economic development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of economic development with instruction in business credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, and the creation and implementation of development programs.
Each of the four EDFP certification program courses are five days in length and concludes with an exam. Upon successful completion of all four courses, the candidate is awarded EDFP Certification.
Asbury first joined the MOSBDC at SFCC as director in 2017. She has more than 25 years of experience in owning and managing small businesses. Asbury graduated from SFCC in 2001 with an Associate of Arts and received her Bachelor’s in Management in 2013 from Central Methodist University. She is very passionate about helping others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.
Through a partnership between the Small Business Administration, Missouri University Extension, and State Fair Community College, the MOSBDC is able to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost trainings to small businesses within the 12 counties Asbury serves. She has assisted clients in acquiring just under $5 million in loans/capital, creating 74 jobs, starting of 28 new business, counseling 265 clients, and providing 105 trainings for 711 participants since she joined the MOSBDC.
NDC’s work focuses on homes, jobs and community. Founded as a national nonprofit in 1969, NDC has worked for 46 years at fulfilling its mission to increase the flow of capital for investment in low-income communities. NDC directs capital to support the preservation and creation of affordable housing, the creation of jobs through training and small business lending and the promotion of livable communities through investment in social infrastructure. NDC’s products and services are deployed for the benefit of municipal and nonprofit partners in both urban and rural low-income communities.
NDC has provided training to more than 70,000 professionals working in the fields of economic and housing development. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations, and banks.

Photo provided by State Fair Community College.