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New Senior Business Advisor Hired at South Central Small Business Development Center Ivy Tech, the host institution for the South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), today announced that Troy Phelps has been appointed as a Senior Business Advisor. In this role, Troy will work with businesses and entrepreneurs over a nine county Indiana territory, providing guidance on business services and products offered by the South Central SBDC office. The SBDC is funded by both the State of Indiana and the Small Business Administration (SBA); all SBDC services are offered for either no charge or at cost including direct access to SEED Corp. an SBA approved lender. Mr. Phelps has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Anderson University and initially joined the SBDC in 2003 as a Business Advisor. After working with the SBDC for a little over 2 years, he left to obtain additional accounting experience and has now returned to continue his work with area businesses. His strong background in accounting, combined with his QuickBooks and business expertise, make him a valuable resource. The South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has offered individualized consulting, training, and business advising to Indiana’s entrepreneurs for over 20 years. For more information about the SBDC go to www.isbdc.org or call 339-8937. 3rd Annual ‘Best Places to Work in Indiana’ List Announced February 25, 2008 (INDIANAPOLIS) — Sixty-six Hoosier companies were designated today as a “Best Place to Work in Indiana” for their ability to create a strong workplace culture in which employees feel valued. The program, in its third year, is managed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and presented in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The program honors the top companies in the state, as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. Winners were selected from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees, and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees. Out-of-state parent companies were eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana. The Best Companies Group has overseen similar programs in 18 other states. ModernThink, LLC, a workplace excellence consulting firm, handled the selection process. The basis for this initiative is Fortune magazine’s noted “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” “‘Best Places to Work in Indiana’ not only recognizes our state’s outstanding employers, but also sets a high standard for other Hoosier companies by encouraging them to realize the importance of evaluating their own workplace,” states Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “It is clear that a positive work environment makes employees more engaged in their job and in their company, which is a win-win situation for the Hoosier workforce and for every business’ bottom line.” The actual rankings of the top Hoosier companies will be announced at the Best Places to Work awards dinner on May 7 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis. Winners will also be recognized via a special section of the Indiana Chamber’s bimonthly BizVoice® magazine and through Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick – both of which reach statewide audiences. Additional program partners are the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana State SHRM Council and the Indiana Youth Institute. The 2008 Best Places to Work in Indiana Awards Dinner is open to the public. Individual tickets and tables are available at www.indianachamber.com/specialevents. To see a complete list of the 2008 Best Places to Work please visit, Indiana Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business EXPO Registration Is Underway The greater Bloomington area boasts a dynamic business environment. For more than 20 years, the Business EXPO has been showcasing Bloomington's champion businesses, and helping them build strong business-to-business teams. Reserve your Business EXPO booth today, and your business will get an early lead on the competition. The 2008 Business EXPO will provide you with the perfect opportunity to showcase your new products and top merchandise, and to promote the services and people in your organization. For more information please visit the EXPO website.
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| South Central Indiana's area economy is made up of many unique small businesses which often are overlooked. Each month learn about a local small business that you might have not known about! Morris Innovative Research
The state awarded the start-up a $1 million grant to complete clinical trials on the market's only biological closure device that seals openings left by medical catheters. Morris Innovative Research's Femoral Introducer Sheath and Hemostasis (FISH) device uses a bio-tissue to create a natural seal for the body's femoral artery following cardiac procedures where a catheter is used. As the body heals, the inserted tissue, which is placed under the skin, incorporates into the human tissue creating a natural closure with little scar tissue. With more than seven years in development, the company's product is an alternative to manual compression closures and other mechanical closure methods traditionally used, which can lead to infections and longer recovery periods. "We are proud to have developed and implemented our product in Indiana," said Ed Morris, president and chief executive of Morris Innovative Research. "Now we are beginning to realize the benefits of our efforts, Morris Innovative Research is one of 51 businesses awarded a 21st Century Fund grant since January 2006. During that time, the fund has invested more than $62 million in high-tech Indiana entrepreneurial companies which expect to create more than 6,000 new jobs. |
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| Bloomington's downtown Certified Technology Park (CTP) is made up of many unique technology development businesses. Each month learn news about these innovative businesses and other initiatives impacting the Park tenants! Trustees’ Agenda IU Vice President Terry Clapacs is expected to present a proposal to the trustees on the redevelopment of a 12-acre parcel of land north of the Showers complex near downtown Bloomington. In his state of the city address last week, Mayor Mark Kruzan said he’s submitted two design proposals to McRobbie about how the land might be used for future endeavors. The land makes up about 20 percent of the city’s Certified Technology Park, and Kruzan said the city has inquired about purchasing it from the university. The trustees are also expected to approve a $10 million business incubator building that would be on the site of the old University School complex. The building would be utilized for research ventures, but there is no word yet on when the builders might begin construction. For more information please visit The Herald Times Online. |
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| March 4: Community Chats March 5: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) March 7: New Economy, New Rules Seminar March 11: Community Chats March 18: Life Sciences Lunch Series March 18: Community Chats March 19: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) March 19: Icebreakers :: GET CONNECTED March 25: Community Chats April 1: Community Chats April 2: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS) April 4: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
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| Web sites to help your business succeed. |
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| Getting the Most from Trade Shows Trade shows can be a tremendously powerful marketing tool or a tremendous drain on your time and resources. There are many excellent reasons to exhibit at trade shows. They're great way to connect with customers and prospects, launch new products and catch up on the industry buzz. But never attend a trade show "because we go every year," or just because you think it's expected. Always have a specific goal in mind and prepare a strategy for achieving it. After all, exhibiting at a trade show represents a large investment for a small business. It entails all kind of expenses, from preparing and shipping your booth and materials to travel and entertainment costs, not to mention your lost work time. To get something out of a trade show, put something into it. Plan your trade show activities from start to finish, before, during and after the event. For complete article, please visit: entrepreneur.com.
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| Customized Market Research Reports (ESRI)
Contact the SBDC office at 812-339-8937 for more information. View More Small Business Solutions
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