Indiana Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann says the state is putting a new spotlight on ways it can help small and emerging businesses.
She says 99% of Indiana businesses have 500 or fewer employees and create most of the state's jobs. Ellspermann expects the new state Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship to marshal Indiana’s existing outreach efforts for them.
“Understanding that job creation is more than attracting new companies to Indiana, it is about helping existing businesses – small businesses – grow as well as encouraging more startups.”
She says the office will do so with little extra cost by creating only one additional position – a business ombudsman.
“They will be helping streamline the requirements of how small businesses work with our state agencies around licensing and permitting, amongst other red tape.”
State programs that fall under the new office’s umbrella include the Small Business Development Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, which help small businesses compete for federal government contracts.
