10 Years of Helping Small Businesses

Over the past 10 years, the Small Business & Technology Development Center's Region 7 office has helped keep Michigan's economy healthy by offering counseling, training, and research for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through September 2004, the office--which serves Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties--has generated more than $9 million in capital investments in local businesses and helped create more than 155 jobs.

The center celebrated its 10th anniversary with a breakfast and ceremony on November 18 in the Loosemore Auditorium.

"The partnership of the MI-SBTDC with Seidman College of Business and Grand Valley has proven to be extremely beneficial for faculty, students, and our small businesses. The office has coordinated hundreds of class projects with small businesses providing real-life labs for students," said Nancy Boese, Region 7 director. "These projects provide unique learning opportunities for the students and great information for our small businesses."

Boese said that 10 years ago, the center served 80 percent start-ups and 20 percent existing businesses. Many of those clients are still being served today with new tools designed to help their businesses flourish.