The Small Business Development Center at Southwestern Michigan College shepherds start-up entrepreneurs in need of guidance, and provides training, research and advocacy for new and existing businesses and innovative technology companies.

Located on the Niles campus, the center serves as a satellite site for the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development network, which provides a full range of services for companies that are emerging and growing throughout Michigan. It is a partner program of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

One-on-one meetings assist individuals:

		research customer demographics
		determine marketplace characteristics
		write a viable business plan
		access financing options
		generate realistic goals
		identify support services
		establish strategies for growth
		deal with unexpected challenges

Consultants of the state-wide network have expertise in:

		advanced manufacturing
		bio-medicine/life sciences
		energy
		information technology

The Southwestern Michigan College Business Development Center is located in Niles at 2229 US 12 East. For further information, contact the center at (269) 782-1000, (269) 687-5640 or visit them on the web at www.misbtdc.org/region11.