New Online Tool Attracts Entrepreneurs to SouthEast Central Illinois
Roxana Ryan
Published: April 3, 2013
Related to: Southeast Central eTeam
PrairieSpark Hub website to offer free business resources, maps and youth materials
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, APRIL 3, 2013 -- Entrepreneurs in Central Illinois will soon have access to an online resource with information on how to start, market and find the best location for their business.
A Broadband Innovation Fund awardee, PrairieSpark E-Hub is the product of the Business Solutions Center at Eastern Illinois University. In previous years, the Center has provided numerous resources on entrepreneurship to the region’s business leaders, youth, economic developers, librarians and educators. Now, through the PrairieSpark E-Hub website, this information will be archived in an online portal for users to access 24/7.
“This region has experienced a large population loss. Our organization is all about demonstrating that Central Illinois has the resources needed for businesses to thrive,” said Jeanne Dau, Director at the Business Solutions Center. “We want our kids to know that they can sell and market globally but still live locally and have a great career right here in rural Illinois.”
The PrairieSpark E-Hub will exponentially expand the number of entrepreneurs and youth served by the Business Solutions Center.
“We only have a staff of 3 people, so the website will be an amazing outreach tool ,” said Dau. “The site will also increase broadband adoption in our region by suggesting computer classes and identifying where users can find information on improving their broadband connections.”
Start-ups and existing businesses will have access to expanded regional information on how to start, market, finance and operate a business. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools will also be used to show entrepreneurs “where to begin” in each county when obtaining licenses and permits.
Engaging regional youth is a key component of PrairieSpark. The E-Hub will share contacts, models and methodology on how to bring programming to schools, libraries and communities. Through the Business Solutions Center, successful programs and models have already been developed for junior high entrepreneurship clubs, high-school camps and classroom activities. This information and additional entrepreneurship activities and lessons will be uploaded to the E-Hub through collaboration with EIU students and educators.
Training on how to use PrairieSpark will be provided at a free, afternoon launch event on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Targeted towards teachers, youth educators and entrepreneurs, the “Bright Ideas for Enhancing Entrepreneurship” workshop will feature sessions on accessing entrepreneurial lesson plans and activities, starting entrepreneurship mentoring programs in schools, evaluating a business plan and how to use GIS maps to evaluate consumers and the competition.
To learn more about the Business Solutions Center, visit www.eiu.edu/~bsc/. For more information the workshop, download the brochure at http://www.eiu.edu/~bsc/TraintheTrainerBrochure.pdf.
More information on the Broadband Innovation Fund can be found at www.broadbandillinois.org/innovation.
###