West Memphis council backs ASU Mid-South venture

Small Business and Technology Development Center Regional Office aims to regional foster economic development

news@theeveningtimes.com Last Thursday, the West Memphis City Council resolved to support a new Small Business and Technology Development Center Regional Office on the campus of Arkansas State university Mid-South by approving a letter of intent. According to ASU Mid-South Chancellor Debra West said the center (ASBTDC) would spur economic development in a multi-county area.

Chancellor West and West Memphis Executive Director of Economic Development Director Phillip Sorrell rolled out the idea via Zoom to city council during tis final November meeting.

'This is a program funded through the Small Business Administration and been in existence 40 years,' said Sorrell. 'We feel like this is a great program and fits our mission. in economic development to help small business, start-ups and existing businesses.'

Sorrell said the timing was great given the pandemic.

'This is timely given the pressure the CIVID pandemic has put on businesses,' said Sorrell. 'Having a regional office here providing access to grants, capital funding, helping write business plans and other services is a great benefit for local businesses. Being located in West Memphis contains certain strategic advantages for us.'

The support required a $35,000 annual match. The college planned on approaching city and county governments in the new service area to raise annual matching next due in 2022. ASU-Mid South became the first two-year college to house an ASBTDC.

'We will be providing the office space and be advertising for the the one per-

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son staff position,' said West. 'Training will be handled by the state.

Success is measured quarterly based on the number of jobs supported, the number of new business starts and capital infusion into the community and the number unique clients served and the case hours devoted to this. There will be measurable outcomes that we'll be held accountable for and that will demonstrate tremendous value for our community and the region.'