SBDC receives technology designation

Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm announced on February 7 that the Michigan's Small Business Development Center network (MI-SBDC) is one of only two center networks in the nation to be awarded a coveted federal technology designation.

To receive this designation the stateside network had to prove a strong commitment to allocation of both human and financial resources to serve technology-based small businesses.

'In order for Michigan to become more widely recognized as a top state for technology companies, our state must provide additional resources to assist in growing the ideas of our best and brightest entrepreneurs,' Granholm said. 'This new designation recognizes that the MI-SBDC, one of the small business community's most valuable resources, is nurturing those ideas into prosperous technology business ventures.'

As part of the certification process the MI-SBDC, now known as the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC), fully integrated technology assistance into its strategic plan for service delivery. This included hiring four technology business resource consultants, each bringing tremendous expertise, experience and credentials to assist new technology companies.

The MI-SBTDC also has worked in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to deliver services in the area of growing technology-based companies.

This partnership resulted in the centers assisting even more technology companies with intellectual property issues, company management structure and access to capital through traditional bank relationships, angel or venture capital financing and Small Business Innovative Research Grants.
North Carolina is the only other state network of Small Business Development Centers to hold the technology designation.

'The MI-SBTDC now has tremendous capacity to serve not only main street U.S.A. small businesses, but also the fast growing market of technology companies,' adds MI-SBTDC State Director, Carol Lopucki.

Grand Valley President Mark Murray was pleased with the designation.

'We're proud of our partnership with the Small Business Development Center,' said Murray. 'This designation increases our ability to serve the State's small businesses.'

The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center provides counseling, training and research for Michigan's new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses, new technology companies, and innovators. The MI-SBTDC is housed at Grand Valley's Seidman School of Business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As host of the MI-SBTDC State Headquarters, the Seidman School of Business oversees the statewide, twelve region network. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest MI-SBTDC by calling 616.331.7480 or visiting www.misbtdc.org .