Enterprise Center Launches Program to Boost Fast-Growing Companies

Sixteen companies sign up to unique  program designed to accelerate growth and employment

SALEM, Mass., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Enterprise Center at Salem State University announced that it is launching a new program funded in part by a $20,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Housing and Economic Development's Small Business and Entrepreneurship office.  The program is designed to help growing companies learn what they need to manage their growth and succeed. 

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the Patrick Administration is dedicated to providing our Commonwealth's entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to succeed," said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki. "Salem's Enterprise Center will provide key support to these businesses as they move towards growth and expansion."  

"We know that as the recession comes to an end, many companies are starting to grow," said Executive Director Christine Sullivan. "This grant will allow us to help them learn the skills needed to quickly tackle the very real challenges of growth—from financing to human resource issues, from management to market and much more."

With this grant, the Enterprise Center will support small businesses that are poised for significant expansion by offering access to mentors, experts and programs that provide advanced training on owner-identified growth challenges. Fifteen companies have already signed up for the program that starts officially on October 1.  The program is expected to run a second time starting in the spring.

 "Although the Enterprise Center has focused most of its programming on small business skill development, we have not until now had the resources to help companies that are growing rapidly," Sullivan said. "This grant gives us the ability to fully support a higher level of preparation, and to arm businesses for a bigger role in our region's economic landscape. This is a tremendous opportunity, for both the Enterprise Center and the businesses we serve. We look forward to gathering their collective insight."

The Enterprise Center is a 10-year-old nonprofit small business growth center located in Salem.  Last year, the Enterprise Center served more than 4200 businesses with skill-building workshops and its annual North of Boston Business Plan Competition.

Complete details of the program may be found at www.enterprisectr.org

SOURCE Enterprise Center at Salem State University