Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
ILLINOIS
BIZ Experiencess who are starting or expanding restaurants,museums, hotels or any other businesses that attract tourists cantake advantage of a matching funds loan program available throughthe Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Under the Tourism Attraction Loan Program, loan proceeds can beused for land acquisition, equipment purchase or installation, orworking capital. They can also be used on a limited basis forresearch and development, feasibility studies, and management andmarketing planning for new tourist attractions. The project mustultimately increase hotel and motel occupancy and tourism or betterserve tourists.
The loan cannot be the primary source of capital or exceed$40,000, and must be no more than 50 percent of the actualexpenditures needed for a single project.
Applications will be accepted through March 30; prospectiveapplicants should call Marilyn Hurst at (217) 524-2998.
Center Invests In Growing Companies
MIDWEST
Kansas City-area BIZ Experiencess needing start-up or growthcapital can find it at the Center for Business Innovation, Inc.(CBI).
This nonprofit organization assists small-business owners with$1 million or less in sales who want to raise $100,000 to $750,000in capital by selling equity in their companies. The amount ofownership offered ranges from 3 percent to 25 percent.
Applicants must make an oral presentation of their business planto CBI. Those selected receive assistance with every aspect ofbuilding a business, from where to locate and assembling amanagement team to product development.
One of 30 such centers around the country, CBI servescommunities within a 200-mile radius of its office. For moreinformation, all (816) 561-8567
Small Businesses Sought
DETROIT
The College for Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs at WayneState University in Michigan is compiling a database of all thesmall business in Detroit.
Through its Michigan Metropolitan Information Center, thecollege is seeking data on the location, history, ownership, salesand product or service characteristics of companies with fewer than100 employees and sales under $5 million.
The information will be used in community-based economicplanning. To obtain a survey, call the center at (313)577-8359.
Schools Provide Help For BIZ Experiencess
NATIONAL
If you're in need of business advice but short on cash,consider going back to school for help. Universities and collegesare filled with talented student and faculty members who can offercreative solutions to your business problems. Following is just asampling of what is available; check with local schools forprograms in your area.
- Harvard Student Agencies offers small-businessowners in the Boston area low-cost services, including graphicdesign, temporary personnel and software testing. Fees aretypically up to 50 percent less than market rates. For information,call (617) 495-3030
- The Institute for Women as BIZ Experiencess, a newprogram sponsored by and located at the school of BusinessAdministration at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, offersfree information and assistance to women BIZ Experiencess starting orexpanding businesses. Assistance is provided by students, facultyand outside consultants. The process begins by calling (423)755-4412 to schedule an evaluation with a small-businessconsultant.
- Rent-a-Brain consulting services offerssmall-business owners in the Riverside, California, area assistancewith marketing, customer satisfaction and feasibility studies;business plan development; product test marketing and more. Workingunder the supervision of faculty members a team of students from LaSierra University's Student in Free Enterprise program helpentrepreneurs at almost any stage of their company'sdevelopment.
Fees charged are lower than market rates. For more information,call (909) 785-2058 or (909) 785-2060.
- The Institute for Small Business, created byGeorgia State University in Atlanta with help from businessassistance organizations and private corporations, is aimed atintroducing BIZ Experiencess to leading experts in all phases ofgrowing and managing a company.
In November, the institute began a series of quarterly breakfastmeetings, where small-business owners spend three hours learningabout issues including marketing, leadership and family inbusiness. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for February14.
In addition to the quarterly networking and educationalbreakfasts, the institute plans to develop programs where its MBAstudents (mostly working professionals already in managementpositions) can take internships in small business. The cost ofannual membership in the institute is $250. For more information,call (404) 651-2815
