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March 2007
Volume 1, Issue 3
Commerce Bank has been committed to serving the small business population and the Illinois Small Business Development Center at ISU. "The Illinois Small Business Development Center at ISU has proved to be a great resource to our commercial lenders. The guidance they provide means safer loans now and the need for expansion loans in the future," commented Bank President, Bob Lakin.
Also, Randy Erickson, Senior Vice President, sits on the Illinois SBDC at ISU’s Advisory Board. Commerce Bank provides small business loans, merchant services, and financial calculators in a business resource center. More information on their small business services can be found here.
Other Sponsoring Contributors if the Illinois SBDC include State Farm Insurance, the Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal,
McLean County Chamber of Commerce, NICOR Gas, Corn Belt Energy, Verizon, Ameren IP, The Pantagraph, Bank of Illinois, First State Bank of Bloomington, US Bank, Busey Bank, CEFCU, and Heartland Bank.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Illinois State University depends on the financial contributions of many individuals, businesses, and organizations within the community to provide needed financial support for our free-of-charge services to the small business community.
Half of our funding comes from the Small Business Administration via the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This funding is conditional and requires that we match no less than 50 percent of the state funding with cash contributions.
By locating the center on campus and providing furniture, equipment, technology, and other resources, Illinois State University and the College of Business is proving a substantial contribution.
Thank you to all our sponsors!