MOUNT PLEASANT – Beginning in November, the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center will have an office at Central Michigan University’s Center for Applied Research and Technology in the Mount Pleasant SmartZone.
The MI-SBTDC statewide network provides a full range of services for a variety of small businesses that are emerging and growing throughout Michigan, including new venture companies, existing small businesses, expanding businesses, new technology companies and innovators.
“Having the MI-SBTDC connected to campus also will provide students with more opportunities to participate in valuable real-world projects and semester or summer internships,” said Charles Fitzpatrick, director of CMU’s LaBelle Entrepreneurial Center.
CMU students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from CMU are required to assist a company with a business plan, market research, financial analysis and other related projects. Similarly, students pursuing a master of business administration degree are required to perform in-depth consulting projects with large companies, small businesses or entrepreneurs.
A technology consultant to help entrepreneurs develop and commercialize products or services that involve intellectual property or patented technology will staff MI-SBTDC’s local office. The consultant also will work closely with staff from the CMU Research Corp. to team technology entrepreneurs and businesses with students, faculty and valuable analytical equipment available at CMU.
“Young technology businesses will benefit from the new MI-SBTDC office and the many resources available at the university, including the expertise of CMU faculty, students, internships and employment following graduation,” said CMURC President and CEO Nathan Long.
CMURC assists start-up companies with intellectual property in the areas of business intelligence or nano/bio technologies. CMURC operates a 12,000-square-foot incubator, which will more than double in size in summer 2006, when a 17,000-square-foot laboratory addition is completed.
The next closest MI-SBTDC office is located on the campus of Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison. The Mount Pleasant location is the first such office to open inside one of Michigan’s 11 SmartZones.
“We believe having an office in the SmartZone will help small companies become more successful by taking advantage of the many resources available within the MI-SBTDC network and the university and by making valuable connections within the central Michigan community” said MI-SBTDC State Director Carol Lopucki.
To learn more about the MI-SBTDC, MI-SBTDC.org
