KINGSTON, R.I.–July 30, 2018– Growth-oriented, non-tech small businesses throughout the state now have access to another quality resource thanks to a two-year, $243,815 grant awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation to the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) at the University of Rhode Island.
Entitled the Small Business Growth Hub, the program will enable the RISBDC to expand its business counseling services to companies that couldbenefit from in-depth assistance geared toward growth. Small manufacturers, food-related businesses, and other sectors of importance to the state’s economy will be the initial focus of the program.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to increase our reach to existing, non-tech small business owners who are looking for help in identifying and taking advantage of growth opportunities,” said RISBDC State Director Ed Huttenhower. “We appreciate the Rhode Island Foundation’s foresight concerning services to this sector and look forward to helping these companies reach their potential. The Small Business Growth Hub will be a strong complement to the positive work we already do with the state’s small business owners and future entrepreneurs.”
Jessica David, executive vice president of Strategy and Community Investments for the Rhode Island Foundation, said, “Small businesses are central to our community well-being. They strengthen Rhode Island’s economic and tax base. We have many strong local businesses that are poised for growth, and the Growth Hub is intended to help them get to that next level.”
Paul C. Harden, former Director of Transportation Technology at New England Institute of Technology, was appointed as Small Business Growth Hub director and will be based at CommerceRI in Providence. Harden has extensive economic and workforce development experience. He served in several key positions at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. (now CommerceRI), including manager of Workforce Development and Business Services and sector lead for Marine Trades, executive director of America’s Cup Rhode Island, manager of Workforce Development and Business Services, and manager of Training. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science at Hobart College and his MBA at Boston University.
Harden is also a successful entrepreneur, having been involved in a number of start-up and early stage companies in the real estate, information technology and transportation industries.
A study of the Rhode Island small business ecosystem conducted by Next Street, a Boston-based consulting firm, for the Rhode Island Foundation found that while Rhode Island offers fairly robust services to most small business sectors through a variety of providers, there is a gap in assistance targeted to existing, non-tech, growth-oriented companies.
Harden will use a number of tools and strategies to assist small businesses in developing plans for growth. These include Growth Wheel, a visual toolbox and online platform for decision-making and action planning. This tool helps business owners build their businesses through a simple, action-oriented process that is in line with the way most entrepreneurs work and think. Harden is a certified Growth Wheel consultant. In addition, Harden will use his knowledge of the state’s small business resources to include other small business service organizations in providing strong, multi-faceted assistance plans to client companies working with the Growth Hub program.
The RISBDC at the University of Rhode Island is part of a national network of Small Business Development Centers, with more than 1,000 locations across the country employing approximately 5,000 certified business counselors. The program is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) largest matching grant-funded program, providing comprehensive services to the small business community. SBDCs undergo a rigorous accreditation process, ensuring that clients receive consistent, high-quality services.
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBDCs are a program supported by SBA and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions, or services of any external parties or activities. By contacting our office and requesting at least two weeks in advance, every attempt will be made to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities and those who need translation services. Please contact Susan Snyder in our lead center at 401-874-7232 to make such arrangements.