University News
Illinois Small Business Development Center Now Located in Seal Hall at WIU
June 9, 2016
MACOMB, IL — The Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) office has returned to Seal Hall on the Western Illinois University campus in Macomb. Staff members at ISBDC, a unit of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at WIU, work with fledgling entrepreneurs to help them start new businesses in the region.
The ISBDC was located in Seal Hall prior to moving into the Macomb MAEDCO building on North Pearl Street more than a decade ago. The building that housed the ISBDC was recently sold, prompting the return to its original location.
Advising services are free of charge and free parking is also designated for ISBDC clients, according to ISBDC Director Jim Boyd; however, Boyd noted ISBDC staff members will accommodate anyone who prefers a different meeting location.
"We will meet our clients at the location they choose. Our service area includes 13 counties in western Illinois, and we understand that meeting in our Macomb office is not always feasible for those seeking our advice," he added.
Boyd, who brings more 25 years of business experience to the ISBDC, worked for 10 years as a business owner. Through owning a business, he gained valuable experience in the wholesale and manufacturing industries.
"I can advise clients in the areas of cash management, as well as in fiscal controls and operations, including supply chain management and manufacturing fundamentals," he explained. "My expertise also includes an understanding of bank requirements and the processes that need to be followed to help obtain available funding from all financial options."
Sean Park also serves as business adviser and works with rural entrepreneurs to develop business plans and locate financing. Before coming to the ISBDC, Park started Park Foods Inc., a small grocery store in Rushville, IL. After earning his master's degree in economics from Western, Park sold his business and worked in an operations position at Walgreen Co.
According to Boyd, Robin Hanna has also recently joined the ISBDC advisory team.
"Robin brings more than a decade of private sector experience in sales and as a construction contractor. In the private sector, he learned about the importance of business planning, human resource issues and inventory. This background will help him advise fledgling entrepreneurs in our region," Boyd explained. "In addition, he can provide technical assistance in the areas of business retention and expansion; the use of local public finance strategies, such a tax increment financing; and how to conduct marketing and feasibility studies for new business startups and expansion."
The ISBDC is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Western Illinois University. Staff at the ISBDC will work directly with business owners and economic developers across the 13-county region in west central Illinois to help start new businesses and create new jobs for the region.
For information about the service area and available services, please visit www.wiusbdc.org. To schedule a meeting or business consultation, contact Boyd at (309) 298-3040.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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