Accessibility Stressed in State's Small Business Assistance Efforts

By JAY HEDGES, Director
Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

Success in placing assistance programs within easy reach of small business owners throughout the state has made Illinois a leader in keeping this vital part of the economy thriving.

Coordinated by the Small Business Assistance Bureau of the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), the state's economic development agency, Illinois now boasts one of the nation's most extensive networks for delivering an impressive range of technical and financial assistance programs.

Creating a network to reach small business owners in the communities where they live and work undoubtedly ranks among the leading accomplishments of the Small Business Assistance Bureau since its inception in November 1985.

Through a local delivery system of Small Business Development Centers, Procurement Assistance Centers and Technology Commercialization Centers, the department has been able to focus many assistance programs to better serve small business owners.

One of the bureau's primary goals is to enhance the local delivery system by creating the "ultimate small business delivery system" to coordinate and consolidate all assistance efforts — federal, state and local — to better meet the needs of small business owners.

With this goal in mind, Small Business Roundtables are being held throughout the state to offer small business owners an opportunity to provide input and recommendations on how government can better meet their needs. These regional meetings/hearings are the outcome of the Governor's Small Business Roundtable, an organization of influential businessmen and women, chaired by Lieutenant Governor George H. Ryan, who also have the needs of small business owners in mind.

Illinois boasts a wide array of nationally recognized small business assistance efforts and has an impressive record of accomplishments.

Under Deputy Director Michael A. Donahue's direction, the Small Business Assistance Bureau has stepped up efforts to assist women and minorities. One effort was earmarking $1 million of Build Illinois funds for minority and women owned businesses. Illinois also created the role of Small Business Utility Advocate, the only one in the nation, who ensures that the small business community's voice is heard when utility issues are debated.

Through its Advocacy Division, the Small Business Assistance Bureau efforts to help minorities access state assistance programs secured an "excellent" rating from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Three staff members also earned "Living Black History Awards" for their achievements.

Advocacy has sponsored scores of information-sharing seminars for women and minority business owners, provided financing and fielded literally thousands of calls to the Illinois Small Business Hotline at 1-800-252-2923, a toll-free telephone number which offers easy access to information.

Women and minority owners are among the fastest growing segment of the small business community. DCCA has established a role to help continue the trend in Illinois.

By providing the tools to succeed, the bureau's Business Management Division, has helped entrepreneurs compete for government contracts, reduce energy costs and tap foreign markets. In conjunction with the Lieutenant Governor's Office, the bureau's Trade Assistance Program has effectively promoted and developed over twenty trade opportunity seminars for small businesses held state-wide. The division also organized the 1987 International Small Business Conference and Exposition which thousands of small business persons attended in Chicago.

Small Business Development Centers throughout

October 1987 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5

the state have counseled and trained more than 50,000 small business owners, managers and employees, often directing them to other assistance programs such as financing. The result has been more than 10,000 jobs created and another 20,000 retained during the past two years.

Procurement Assistance Centers, by helping small business owners understand the intricacies of government purchasing, have helped Illinois companies land more than $120 million in contracts.

The bureau's Finance Division, through a series of loan programs, has invested more than $20 million in promising Illinois small businesses during the past two fiscal years. State involvement has helped many of these companies complete financial arrangements with conventional loan dollars, creating and retaining jobs for thousands of Illinoisans.

The Technology and Innovation Division has successfully linked the vast resources of academia with Illinois entrepreneurs, further solidifying Illinois' role as a national leader in high-technology.

During the past two fiscal years, more than 10,000 business owners sought assistance through Technology Commercialization Centers at universities, community colleges and federal laboratories. Nearly 100 major commercialization projects were undertaken, some 200 patents awarded and more than 200 technology-related products moved into the market.

State grants established the Illinois Resource Network, an electronic database of university researchers cataloged by area of expertise. Other grants have spurred research in areas such as cancer treatment and ways to apply new technology to existing, mature industries.

The Small Business Assistance Bureau has come a long way since its inception and the department will continue to focus its resources to meet the needs of the small business community.

To receive further information on small business programs and services, contact the Illinois Small Business Hotline at 1-800-252-2923. •

Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1987