It will provide assistance to small business clients with a special focus on start-ups in emerging industries, existing companies seeking to leverage technology to develop their businesses, and women- and minority-owned businesses.

Small businesses make up 80 percent of known employers in this part of the Puget Sound region.

“These small businesses,” said Chancellor Olswang, “often need technical assistance to grow. This is where the University of Washington Bothell (UWB) can help.”

The Business Development Center will be a part of UWB’s Business Program and will provide one-on-one business counseling on the Bothell campus. In addition, student-consulting teams at UWB and at educational institutions partnering with the Center will provide technical assistance to business owners. Partner institutions currently include Cascadia Community College, Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, Lake Washington Technical College and Shoreline Community College.

Dr. Steve Holland, Professor and Director of the Business Program said, “By engaging students in assisting with the growth and expansion of area businesses, the Center will simultaneously support student learning and contribute to economic development in the region.”

Recognizing that such centers do, indeed, contribute to local and regional economic development, King County and the cities of Woodinville, Bothell and Kenmore committed funds to establish the Center. According to the Small Business Administration, programs similar to this one have historically generated at least $3 in additional local tax revenue for every $1 of investment.

Woodinville City Manager Pete Rose said, “The City Council has funded a share of the operating costs for this center for 2006. This benefits small business in several ways. First, 80 percent of business in Woodinville is small – 25 or fewer employees. It is very costly to start a small business and hard to find a storefront. Woodinville has some of the lowest small retail vacancy rates around. Any help the entrepreneurs can receive from this agency to navigate the waters of getting established successfully is beneficial. Also, in a corporate society, we learn more about how to be employees than owners through standard education. This program will help those who want to focus on being successful owners.”

Manny Ocampo, City of Bothell’s Assistant City Manager and the city liaison to the Business Development Center said, “The City of Bothell is excited about partnering with the University of Washington Bothell in this vital economic development resource that will contribute to the quality of life. The Business Development Center is a catalyst for public, business and educational collaboration that will ensure this region continues to prosper and will only strengthen the overall community sustainability.”

Walter Freytag, a faculty member in the UWB Business Program, will be directing the operations of the Business Development Center. Dr. Freytag was instrumental in the development of an organization with a similar mission, the Bellevue Entrepreneur Center, and continues to serve as its Vice President. UWB’s Center will also be closely allied with the highly successful Business and Economic Development Program at the University of Washington Seattle.

Dr. Freytag said, “Seeing first-hand the benefits that centers such as these bring to the area’s businesses, including job creation and retention, is truly gratifying. Being able to bring these benefits to businesses in the north Puget Sound region is a great step forward.”