Contributing Sponsor Highlight: The Economic Development Council of Bloomington-Normal

As an organization whose mission is to attract new and retain existing business and industry for McLean County, IL, it makes sense that the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Bloomington-Normal would be a supporter of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Illinois State University. 

“The EDC has been a strong supporter of the SBDC since its inception,” stated EDC CEO Marty Vanags. “Small and locally created business is the cornerstone of economic development and job growth in McLean County. Our partnership with the SBDC only serves to strengthen both organization’s ability and capacity to serve our clientele.”

This summer, the EDC is supporting the SBDC in another way – with a shared intern. Jason Looper has joined the SBDC team as an intern working on a joint project to redesign the EDC Almanac and add business start-up information as well. “This is a great opportunity to add to and enhance the EDC Almanac,” said SBDC Director Elizabeth Binning of the partnership. “With the new enhancements we hope this updated document will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary information to successfully start in McLean County.”

Looper will work with both the EDC and SBDC on the Almanac project until early August 2006.

Other Sponsoring Contributors of the SBDC include State Farm Insurance, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Bank, NICOR Gas, Corn Belt Energy, Verizon, Ameren IP, The Pantagraph, Bank of Illinois, First State Bank of Bloomington, National City Bank, CEFCU, and Heartland Bank. Thank you to all of our sponsors!