Recently Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman joined with business leaders from Indiana to present 20 homegrown companies with the Economic Development through Growth and Entrepreneurship Awards.
The event was sponsored by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Small Business Development Centers. The presentations recognized clients of the agency's 10 regional centers throughout the state. Awards were presented in emerging and established business categories.
Skillman said of the awards, "We know the foundation of the Indiana economy is built on the ideas of entrepreneurs across the state. These 20 small businesses have continued to grow and create jobs for Hoosiers despite a very challenging national economy."
The recipients represent 350 individual jobs for the state and had combined net sales of more than $10 million in 2009. This is quite an achievement in a down economy and a boost for the state and the nation.
The businesses denote a wide range of industries and are located all over the Indiana, not exclusively from metropolitan areas. In excess of 115,000 small businesses operate in the state, employing almost half of the private sector work force, according to data from an October 2009 U.S. Small Business Administration report.
The Indiana Small Business Development Center is an Indiana Economic Development Corporation initiative funded in part through and agreement with the SBA. The 10 regional centers provide free and low-cost business counseling and assistance to any small business.
The mission of the ISBDC is to have a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of small businesses in Indiana and developing a strong entrepreneurial community.
The ISBDC Network accomplishes its mission through a focus on direct involvement, not relying solely on training events and meetings with client businesses. The group believes tangible tools must be afforded to clients based on intensive face-to-face strategy sessions.
The network interacts with new and existing entrepreneurs providing input and assistance complete with viable action plans to help realize the individual client's overall goals.
