Centers helped 119 new businesses last year
May 29, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Three Purdue University-hosted Indiana Small Business Development Centers (ISBDC) helped more than a hundred new businesses get off the ground last year while helping other businesses add and retain jobs.
The Hoosier Heartland Center is headquartered at Purdue, and the Northeast Center is based in Fort Wayne. The Southeast ISBDC in New Albany is co-hosted by Purdue, Indiana University and Ivy Tech. They are part of a network of 10 ISBDCs throughout the state.
"In the midst of economic uncertainly, our consultants have been able to help clients grow their businesses, creating jobs and launching new products," said Susan B. Davis, SBDC regional director.
Last year, the three centers helped businesses add 825 jobs and retain 5,913 jobs. The centers worked with a total of 1,534 clients. They helped their clients secure nearly $38 million to invest in their businesses.
One of the clients was Energy Delivery Solutions in Jeffersonville, a company that manufactures technology to deliver life-saving energy to cells.
"The Southeast ISBDC helped us examine funding sources and develop a business plan," said Bill Ehringer, CEO and founder of Energy Delivery Solutions. "We were impressed with the center's performance, and the help has been invaluable. If southern Indiana had more people like those with Southeast ISBDC, we could create a biotechnology park."
SBDC consultants help companies with business and marketing plans, securing financing, market research, financial reports, cash flow analysis, strategic planning, industry research and developing prospect lists.
Free consulting services are offered to existing business owners as well as startups. A needs assessment is conducted for all clients, along with a plan for addressing specific issues.
ISBDC also conducts workshops, conferences and seminars geared to the needs of small business owners.
More information on the Purdue centers can be found at http://www.pcrd.purdue.edu/What_We_Do/SBDC/default.aspx
Information on the entire Indiana Small Business Development Center network is at http://www.isbdc.org/
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Source: Susan B. Davis, 765-496-6491, sbdavis@purdue.edu