This marks the first time a federal program has placed its state headquarters in West Michigan.
The Seidman School of Business has been awarded $2.7 million through a cooperative agreement to serve as the state headquarters of the SBA. Matching funds from the Michigan Small Business Development Centers (MI-SBDC) network members brings the total annual operating budget to $5.78 million.
As the host of the state headquarters, Seidman School of Business is charged to establish, manage and oversee the MI-SBDC network, which is comprised of twelve regional offices and more than 60 satellite centers throughout Michigan, serving all 83 counties. Among its services are no-cost counseling, low-cost training, market research, and advocacy for small businesses.
Seidman School of Business is reaching out to the small business community across the state, offering a wide spectrum of services that are helping Grand Rapids emerge as a financial center of Michigan.
A driving force behind Michigan's economic rebirth over the last decade has been the hard work, innovation, and vision of small business owners and operators across our state, said Michigan Gov. John Engler. And as these companies have helped to guide our economy to success, the Grand Valley State University Seidman School of Business has been there to help these companies succeed as well. I am pleased that the SBA has chosen the Seidman School of Business to host its Michigan office. I know it will prove to be a beneficial decision for our state, Grand Valley State University, and ¿ most importantly ¿ the small business owners of Michigan.
The Seidman School of Business was awarded the headquarters largely on the strength of the work it has done regionally.
GVSU's Seidman School of Business possesses the vision, leadership, and necessary resources to take the MI-SBDC network to the next level, said Gene Cornelius, District Director of the Michigan District Office of the US Small Business Administration. Its ability to build partnerships, secure funding, and assess and meet the needs of small businesses has been demonstrated through the overwhelming success and growth of its own Region 7 Small Business Development Center.
Carol Lopucki, who has served as Regional Director of the MI-SBDC for Region 7 for the past five years, has been named State Director for the new state headquarters. She was recently recognized by the National Association of Management and Technical Assistance Centers and was singled out as Michigan's Star Performer by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Our focus during the first year is to strengthen the infrastructure of our regional centers, develop new partnerships for the advancement of resources, and be designated, statewide, as a Small Business and Technology Development Center, said David Mielke, Dean of the Seidman School of Business. We see our role as one of service to the network members in helping them provide the best in terms of resources and services to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
A 1,500 square-foot renovated train depot located in downtown Grand Rapids at 510 Fulton St. will serve as the new home for the state headquarters. It is conveniently located on GVSU's Pew Campus across from the new Richard M. DeVos Center, offering access to the Seidman School of Business and the new Steelcase Library.
