GRAND RAPIDS – The Michigan Small Business Development Center and Small Business Association of Michigan launched a joint research project designed to help determine what resources small and medium-size Michigan companies need for future success.
The research project kicked off February 10 with a survey of small business owners to learn more about what kind of assistance they need in accessing talent, commercialization/innovation, tax policy and overcoming current obstacles to growth.
“Small business operations are expanding and thriving, but increasingly, they find they need assistance in managing growth and success,” said SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler. “This unique research collaboration with the Michigan SBDC will collect valuable information that will assist our organizations in providing the services and products that will help entrepreneurs thrive in the future.”
It has been 25 years since the last time a comprehensive small business needs assessment of this depth was conducted in the state by a combination of partners.
“We are excited to gain insights and use them as we continue to work together to drive a resurgent Michigan economy,” adds Keith Brophy, State Director of the Michigan SBDC. “Small business is the heart of a vibrant community and sustainable economy. It is vital we base our programs on direct feedback of the state’s small businesses to best align with needs and ultimately create the best results.”
The Michigan SBDC is funded by a combination of federal, state and local funding and provides general business counseling and training to small business through its team of 90 experts all across the state. Both the Michigan SBDC and SBAM are part of the PINE Consortium, an international collaboration of business, government and university members helping to better align public and private entrepreneurial support with the priority needs and interests expressed by small and medium size enterprises.
Other members of PINE are Michigan State University, the University of Twente, the University of Groningen Centre for Entrepreneurship, and MiQuest. PINE members contribute and use small business information that helps innovate and improve the ways companies are assisted. Depending on their separate organizational missions, members may use the information to design small business services based on needs, offer entrepreneurship courses, recruit expert service providers, or prepare annual policy recommendations. University partners also prepare and publish research useful, for example, in understanding how small businesses manage their needs and seek solutions.
