COD Center for Entrepreneurship gets grant
The Illinois Community College Board awarded $165,098 to College of DuPage to support the FY 2012 workforce development programming through the Workforce Development Grant: Business and Industry Grant.
Funding will be used by the COD Center for Entrepreneurship to support the operations of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), International Trade Center (ITC), and Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) during the College's 2012 fiscal year.
The Center for Entrepreneurship provides training, consultation and assistance through the SBDC to entrepreneurs and small business owners on topics such as financing, management, acquisitions, planning, organizational structure, launching a business, and other issues critical to sustainability and expansion.
The ITC provides expert guidance for Illinois companies seeking to export products and services, including opportunities for businesses interested in securing government contracts through the PTAC.
Continued funding is based in part on demonstrated success. In FY 2011, the Center for Entrepreneurship conducted 85 workshops attended by 1,620 people. In addition, 540 individuals received counseling and management assistance, resulting in the start-up of nine companies, the expansion of 13, and the retention of 161 jobs and creation of 47 new positions.
In addition, a total of 452 contracts were obtained with PTAC assistance, resulting in the expansion of 42 businesses, the retention of 800 jobs and the creation of 79 new positions.
For more information, visit www.cod.edu/business_resources/entrepreneurship/index.aspx
or call (630) 942-2771.