During fiscal 2010, some 40 southwest Missouri businesses received startup help from the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center, resulting in more than 1,000 jobs and nearly $27 million in sales.
The Springfield office, operated by the Missouri State University College of Business Administration, was created in October 1982 to provide businesses with training, products and solutions.
The program at MSU is part of a 29-year-old statewide effort that has helped clients reach $515.1 million in sales, $204 million in investments, nearly $468 million in government contracts and nearly $9 million in funded research grants.
The Springfield center is part of a nationwide network and is one of the three original centers in Missouri. The other two were in St. Louis and Kansas City.
Local Impact by the NumbersThe Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center at Missouri State University recorded these statistics in fiscal 2010, which ended Sept. 30:
- 42 Businesses started in southwest Missouri with SBTDC assistance
- 1,313 Jobs created or retained by southwest Missouri business clients
- $26.8M Sales by southwest Missouri business clients
- $22.2M Investments by southwest Missouri business clients
- $23.4M Value of government contracts awarded to southwest Missouri business clients
Success StoriesWith assistance through advice and coursework at the Springfield office of the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center, several area companies have made strides in the last few years.
- $1M H2O Technical Services Inc. in Springfield restructured its debt by securing a $1 million U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loan, allowing the company to increase its staff to 25 from 16 in 2006.
- 14% The Vacation Channel in Branson conducted a strategic management analysis and review tool, or SMART, assessment that covered customer and market focus, process management, financial statement analysis, strategic planning and leadership. As a result of the analysis, revenue increased by 14 percent in 20 months starting in 2005.
- $474,000 Springfield architecture firm Gaskin, Hill, Norcross Inc. increased its work force to 14 employees from 11 and secured a $425,000 business expansion loan in 2006.
Educational assistanceFurniture GourmetKaren Parry, owner of Springfield-based Furniture Gourmet, learned how to write a business plan and received assistance doing a trademark search through one-on-one training with a consultant in 2010.
Source: Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers[[In-content Ad]]
