IU, Ivy Tech, and Purdue to Collaborate on Center for Southeast Indiana Entrepreneurs

IU, Ivy Tech, and Purdue to Collaborate on Center for Southeast Indiana Entrepreneurs The Indiana Economic Development Corporation, through its Small Business Development Centers, announced a new collaboration with three of the state's leading institutions of higher education. Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University are joining together as hosts of the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center. The center will be headquartered in the Purdue Technology Park in New Albany, while maintaining business advising services at the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, where it has been located for several years. "We appreciate the great partnership we have had with the Madison Area Chamber over the years and look forward to our continued work with them," said Jeff Heinzmann, the IEDC's state SBDC Director. "Looking ahead, we have three diverse partners coming together in a new relationship to foster the development and growth of small businesses across Southeast Indiana." Indiana's Small Business Development Center Network provides low-cost assistance and consultation to developing companies. With 10 sites throughout the state, the network is a partnership between the IEDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Business owners seeking services at the new center will have access to Ivy Tech resources at multiple campus facilities from Lawrenceburg to Columbus to Scottsburg. IU Southeast will provide faculty and student engagement, entrepreneurship training and CEO roundtables, among other services. In addition to the Tech Center location, users will benefit from Purdue University's faculty and students, university extension offices in each county and other programs. "In addition to the many strengths of Ivy Tech and Purdue, IU Southeast brings many student and faculty assets to the ISBDC," said Lawrence R. Mand, vice chancellor for technology and community engagement at Indiana University Southeast. "This engagement will show how higher education can make an important contribution to creating and supporting an entrepreneurial culture." The Southeast Indiana office will serve 13 counties including: Bartholomew, Clark, Dearborn, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Harrison, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Scott and Switzerland. "This innovative collaboration between our institutions is a completely original venture - it's a moment we've been waiting for," said Rita Shourds, Chancellor of the Ivy Tech Southern Indiana region. Small businesses seeking ISBDC services can call 888.472.3244 or go online at www.isbdc.org. About the ISBDC The Indiana Small Business Development Center Network is an Indiana Economic Development Corporation program funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Through 10 regional centers, the ISBDC provides free and low-cost business advising and assistance to small businesses at any stage of development. For more information about the ISBDC, visit www.isbdc.org