University News
Durbin Announces Funding for WIU SBDC
September 4, 2009
MACOMB, IL -- The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a unit of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University, is on track to receive $400,000 to support the expansion of programming and operations, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today (Sept. 4) at the SBDC in Macomb.
The funding, included in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member, and will soon be considered by the full Senate.
"Small businesses are crucial to the economic success of their communities and to the overall financial well-being of the state," Durbin said. "Expanding the programming and training available to our entrepreneurs through small business development centers will provide an increase in jobs and in economic stability. The Small Business Development Center at WIU will now be able to enhance their efforts to improve the quality of life for the residents of rural Illinois."
According to IIRA Director Chris Merrett, the increased funding will be used to expand programs focused on financial statements, human resource management and small business taxation issues; incorporate technology into business plans; continue an emphasis on minorities and women in entrepreneurship; increase counseling hours per client; and place a greater emphasis on flood and disaster preparedness and business resiliency.
Established at WIU in 1986, the SBDC, directed by Dan Voorhis, provides business counseling to prospective and established business owners and inventors in 12 counties in west central Illinois. In Fiscal Year 2009, the center documented more than 125 jobs created and 33 businesses started or expanded. The SBDC at Western is part of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
In addition to the announcement regarding SBDC funding, Durbin also discussed funding he helped secure for new buses and bus facilities for Go West in Macomb through the FY08 Department of Transportation Discretionary Grant Award. Funding of $121,364 was allocated for the purchase of three ParaTransit vehicles and $245,000 for the construction of new bus administrative and maintenance facilities.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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