Resources abound for business aid
With a population decline threatening the local economy, several state agencies are gearing up to help small business grow, and stay, in Central Massachusetts.
That was the message of panelists at a March 10 event held at co-sponsor Nypro Inc.’s headquarters in Clinton. Representatives from several small business agencies were on hand to inform owners and entrepreneurs of programs designed to boost business success."If we don’t strengthen our small businesses, people will continue to leave," warned State Senator and co-sponsor Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester).
For business owners, calling the agencies can help find the right channels for assistance, said Alison Berglund, director of the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, a group that works with providers of technical assistance and financing for small businesses.
"Small businesses are the life blood of the economy in Massachusetts," said Berglund, "and we have a plethora of resources available."
Panel participants noted that 90 percent of the businesses in Massachusetts employ less than 100 people, and 70 percent staff fewer than 20.
Also commenting on
the resources available was Sandra Ledbetter, procurement specialist at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Network in Amherst. Ledbetter helps clients do a marketing assessment to determine the potential demand for a product.
"Of $89 million in federal and state government contracts reported by Massachusetts small businesses in 2005, $26 million came into Central Mass.," said Ledbetter. "There’s a lot of interest. I’m seeing anywhere from 3 to 6 new clients a week."
For Kara Casten, owner of Under the Sun Marketing, this event proved its worth. "I’ve actually gotten information I didn’t expect to get, so this event was hugely helpful to me."
Editor’s note: The Worcester Business Journal published a detailed Small Business Guide in its February 20th issue, which included extensive listings of many resource agencies.
Jeffrey T. Lavery can be reached at jlavery@wbjournal.com
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