URI_Research_Magazine_Momentum_Spring_2016_Melissa-McCarthy

Whaler’s Brewing Company, Wakefield, RI co-founders: Josh Dunlap, Edward Huttnetower (RISBDC), Andy Tran, Wes Staschke, Joshua Daly (RISBDC).

It is precisely this model of partnership and success that was envisioned when the University received a 2013 grant to house the center. As the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) looked for a new home for the RISBDC, URI recognized the value of bringing the center to campus, thereby combining the resources and talent at the University to help small businesses in the state. Currently, URI receives $650,000 in funding from the SBA, as well as $250,000 in state funding and additional support from CommerceRI. These funds support the center’s operations as well as outreach and assistance to the state’s small business community. By combining the resources of the RISBDC and the Polaris Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Polaris MEP), which is based at the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation, URI is poised to help invigorate Rhode Island’s business profile. In addition to these resources, the RISBDC also has access to the URI Foundation’s Business Engagement Center, as well as faculty and students from URI’s College of Business Administration, College of Engineering, and others. “Overseeing the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center is another opportunity for the University of Rhode Island to serve the people of the state,” says Gerald Sonnenfeld,

URI vice president for research and economic development. “By reaching out to small businesses that will find useful advice on how to operate and fund their businesses, we hope we will be able to contribute to the economic development of Rhode Island. We look forward to this opportunity and to assisting our fellow Rhode Islanders.” Besides advice, the RISBDC can link business owners to a variety of resources related to employee training, problem solving, loans and lines of credit, developing new markets and products, and a host of others. In addition, the center’s commitment to business ventures headed by women and minorities is one of its founding goals and remains steadfast. “The demographic make-up of the state is ever evolving,” says Huttenhower. “We aim to make sure that all groups have the assistance that is needed for their businesses to have the best possible chance for success.” Ruben Ogando, originally from the Dominican Republic and owner of Reymond’s Brother Tailor Shop in Cranston, RI, turned to the RISBDC for help in preparing a business plan and loan application for a business expansion. Ogando worked with RISBDC business counselor Manuel Batlle, who is bilingual English/Spanish, to successfully secure a $45,000 loan from the Providence Economic Development Partnership that enabled

him to add a laundromat to his services. “We were extremely satisfied with the help we received from the RISBDC, it was a smooth-sailing process,” Ogando says. “Manuel is an excellent counselor and it was a pleasure working with him.”

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