Several '50 Companies to Watch' are SBTDC clients

The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, located at Grand Valley State University, assisted nearly 500 growth companies in 2011. Of these companies, 33 will be receiving the 2012 Michigan “50 Companies to Watch” award at the eighth annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards ceremony May 3 in Lansing.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business is the state’s premier awards event celebrating small business excellence. MCSB honors the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, the U.S. Small Business Administration of Michigan Small Business Awards, two awards presented by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, as well as other small business awards from the founding organizations.

“We are thrilled that our clients are being recognized for their success,” said Carol Lopucki, state director of the Michigan SBTDC.  “We placed an emphasis on Michigan’s second stage companies several years ago when we formed the Growth Group Team and enhanced our tools to assist these companies.”

In 2009, SBTDC established an advanced team of specialists called the Growth Group (G2) to prepare Michigan companies for their next stage of growth. G2 provides multifaceted strategic analysis and recommendations for organizations seeking improvement in their operations for future expansions.

“As a business grows, decision making and operations become more complex and require the business to make changes regarding moving into or out of markets,” said Nancy Boese, G2 coordinator and tools specialist for the SBTDC. “Companies have a desire to increase their opportunities, so I am not surprised these second stage companies are growing and being recognized.” 

WaterSolve LLC was named one of the 50 Companies to Watch. President Greg Lebster started working with the SBTDC in March of 2011. “WaterSolve has experienced tremendous growth,” said Lebster. “As a second stage company, the Growth Group Team has provided the experience and tools we needed to increase our sales and hire more people.”

G2 specialists evaluate employees’ perceptions of the company and opportunities for change, and offers extensive market research reports to assist identifying and determining new markets for business development.

For more information about the Michigan Growth Group (G2) Team or Michigan Celebrates Small Business contact Jennifer Deamud, Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center at (616) 331-7480 or [email protected].

About Michigan Celebrates Small Business
Michigan Celebrates Small Business is a premier annual program to recognize entrepreneurs and small business supporters in a variety of categories. The program is a cooperative effort of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Edward Lowe Foundation, the U.S. Small Business Administration – Michigan, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and the Greater Lansing Business Monthly.

Underwriters for the event include PNC, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Certified Development Corporation, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Varnum Law, Michigan Credit Union League, Comcast Business Class, Huntington Bank, DBI Office Interiors, Comcast Spotlight and Dynamic Edge Inc.