The Northeast Iowa Small Business Development Center was opened in the early part of 1985 through the efforts of a tri-college group who worked together, and in partnership with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, to address the need for entrepreneurial training and assistance.

In October 2005 the Northeast Iowa SBDC officially changed host institutions to the Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. The SBDC center remains physically located in downtown Dubuque where it is more accessible to the Northeast Iowa business community.