SUPPORT CENTERS

Business and Industry Centers

The Business and Industry Centers located in each of the 39 Illinois community college districts provide assessments, testing, education, training and other business resources that are specific to the needs of a local business. These centers assist local businesses to become competitive and to increase their economic viability by increasing employee skills.

Small Business Development Center

Small Business Development Centers in cooperation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Small Business Administration, provide technical and management assistance through one-on-one counseling and group training sessions to local business owners. These services may include development of a business plan, securing finances, addressing state and federal employment laws and other details necessary to be successful.

Procurement Assistance Center

Procurement centers provide businesses with the marketing and technical assistance necessary to procure government contracts. Ultimately, the successes of the procurement centers provide industrial and service-based companies with government contracts that facilitate job creation and retention in the area.

PROGRAMS

Business Solutions Network

The Business Solutions Network is comprised of the thirty- nine community college business and industry centers across Illinois. This is a network of industry professionals and faculty dedicated to assisting your business by providing consistent, quality and affordable training to multiple company locations. The network is a true training partner with a variety of flexible, customer-oriented services. The Business Solutions Network is available to assist your business with statewide training initiatives. We will help assure a smooth and consistent delivery of services to each of your business sites. For assistance with coordinating statewide training for your business, please contact Preston Morgan, ICCB Senior Director for Workforce Development.

Contract/Customized Training

Businesses seek assistance from community colleges not only for specific employee skill development but they also seek assistance with strategic planning, process improvement and other system-wide operations that lead to increased productivity. Customized Training opportunities may be found on the Business Solutions Network.

Counseling and Management Assistance

Businesses and communities have come to depend on the educational information, support and resources that are provided by the local community college Small Business Development Centers. During the initial start-up, businesses often seek local support and resources in order to be successful. These relationships continue to grow over the years and develop into long-term mentoring relationships.

Entrepreneurship Seminars and Workshops

Community colleges across Illinois offer a variety of services to individuals who are interested in starting a business and for individuals who are currently running their own business. These services are offered via seminars and workshops and include development of a business plan, securing finances, addressing state and federal employment laws, and other details necessary to be successful.

Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion

Attracting, retaining and expanding businesses is the foundation of economic development and community colleges are playing a key role in this process. As communities strive to provide all the resources necessary to attract and retain businesses they are leaning on the local community college for assistance. Community colleges are providing various resources such as meeting facilities, re-hiring testing and training along with formal educational degrees that support the skills needed by the local employer. The Business Solutions Network provides resources to assist in all aspects of business attraction, retention, and expansion.