News Releases
News from OSBDCN at Lane Community College
For release March 29, 2011
Oregon's Small Business Development Centers launch "Get Growing" program
EUGENE, OR – A $558,580 award to the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDCN) from the U.S. Small Business Administration brings vital resources for Oregon businesses to help add new jobs to their payrolls. Funding for the "Get Growing" program was provided under a key provision of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), to support the counseling and training services OSBDCN provides to small businesses. OSBDCN is headquartered at Lane Community College.
According to Senator Merkley, "When I was growing up, my family followed the timber economy from Douglas County to east Multnomah County, going where my dad could find a job. A good paying job is the foundation for not just families' success but for our nation's success, and most of those jobs are at small businesses. The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network will provide businesses with the tools they need to expand and hire and get our economy moving again. I supported this bill because I know how essential small businesses are and we need to help them thrive."
This one-time two-year grant will enable OSBDCN to:
- Offer expert advisors in areas of loan packaging, financial analysis, applied market research, government contracting, innovative product promotion & distribution, search engine optimization, lean manufacturing, and technology planning.
- Collaborate with the SBA, the Oregon Business Development Department Global Strategies Team, and the United States Export Assistance Center to provide expanded international trade services.
- Deliver a "Pathway to Entrepreneurship" training program to recent/prospective graduates of Oregon's community colleges for self employment.
- Assist Oregon entrepreneurs in the preparation of Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposals to bring innovative concepts to the marketplace.
- Provide customized counseling to business incubator clients.
- "Our network's leading advisors and trainers stand ready to help businesses throughout our state put Oregonians back to work," said Michael Lainoff, OSBDCN State Director. "Get Growing's outreach efforts will target firms that are poised to take the critical steps toward growth, innovation, and prosperity."
OSBDCN’s 19 service centers will be hosting "Get Growing" promotional events throughout the state, including a free "RU Bankable" access-to-capital symposium in Astoria on Monday, April 11, at 8 a.m. For more information, visit www.BizCenter.org
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Media contact: Michael Lainoff, (541) 463-5250, lainoffm@lanecc.edu
