The Eastern Region of The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) was established in 1985 at East Carolina University, and is one of eleven regional centers within the statewide University of North Carolina system organization. The SBTDC is the primary organization through which the state provides business development and technical assistance to the business community. 

 "The SBTDC is partially funded by the United States Small Business Administration under a Cooperative Agreement. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis."

The SBTDC is a business development service of the University of North Carolina operated in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Eastern Region Service Center serves a 12-county region that includes the following counties: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne and Wilson.