Small Business Development Center

Area legislators and local community navigators primed with support and resources for small businesses promoted the Illinois Back 2 Business (BSB) Grant Program during a press conference held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

The B2B Grant Program is a key component of Governor JB Pritzker’s $1.5 billion economic package designed to maximize the impact of American Rescue Plan Act funds provided to Illinois. The B2B application portal closes at 11:59 p.m. We...

The journey of Miss Jay’s Cafeteria, a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, began with a first-place win in the East St. Louis Cafe of Champions Challenge held in June 2021.

Owner Jere Richardson and her team’s winnings included a $2,000 cash prize and a one-year rent- and utility-free commercial kitchen/café space on SIUE’s East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Richardson’...

The southern Illinois region has long needed a customized, action-oriented export training initiative to put local businesses on the international map. Now, five regional businesses have benefited from such an opportunity, EXPORT NOW.

Presented by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, LR International and the Illinois District Export Council, with financial support...

Fifteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 8^th annual Metro East Startup Challenge.

The Metro East Startup Challenge welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois, and this year expanded to include Fayette and Montgomery Counties. More than 40 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition t...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is officially part of the Illinois Community Navigator Program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The affiliation raises awareness for federal and state grant and loan programs, especially in the underserved business community. 

Targeted businesses include women, minority and rural veteran-owned businesses who may find it challengin...

Gourmet popcorn, delicious ice cream and a plethora of Italian ice flavors are available at Sweet Cravings, an old-fashioned, small town shop in Fairview Heights.

Owner Vickie Fair has worked with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May since March 2019 to achieve her business goals.

In that time, the SBDC has assisted Fair by finalizing her business plan, pursuing financing options,...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to celebrate Lizzie Bob’s Bakery located in Fairview Heights. In 2013, Elizabeth Toepfer began pursuing her dream of owning a bakery, initially starting from home. As her bakery operation grew, Toepfer sought assistance with her business plans and operations, and, in December 2015, reached out to the SBDC and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May.

Toepfer started baking ...

Scooter’s Coffee is now open on Rte. 159 in Glen Carbon. A client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE, the drive-thru coffeehouse is open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Saturday.

The franchise was first established in Bellevue, Nebr., and is now available locally thanks to Robert (Bob) Semptimphelter and his wife’s good taste. After relocating to the Edwardsville area after 13 years in Omaha, Semptimphelter and his business partner decide...

Willie and Ericka Logan, founders of Logan & Logan, LLC Management and Accounting Services, are expanding and moving to a larger, more adequate location as they grow and serve more business clients. 

In 2019, Ericka and her husband, Willie, decided to jumpstart their entrepreneurial endeavors by entering into the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Metro East Startup Challenge. After entering the competition, the couple and...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2021 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 8th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madi...

Miss Jay’s Cafeteria, of Cahokia, has been awarded first place in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s inaugural East St. Louis food industry business plan competition, the Café of Champions Challenge.

Miss Jay’s Cafeteria representatives Cynthia Richardson, Jere Richardson and Shay Jones edged out the other finalists during the final round of competition which included a taste testing pitch. The first-place prize includes $2,000 and 12-months of rent and utility f...

For one highly successful St. Louis area entrepreneur, growing his business, Blue Stingray, meant making mistakes and learning what he valued. Now, Brian Rehg is able to share those lessons as a new board member of the Metro East Business Incubator (MEBI), providing valuable insight and mentoring to other local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Jo Ann DiMaggio May, director of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is a fellow MEBI board member. “I ...

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruption to the global economy, which is causing severe negative impacts to small and mid-sized businesses.

Through its federal partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) via the CARES Act COVID-19 supplemental funding, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network remains at the center of the national economic recovery effort, supporting small businesses, so they can survive, recover and position themselves for future growth....