The Small Business Development Center based at Central Lakes College in Brainerd reports that it has received $11,500 in donations in recent weeks. The Initiative Foundation, Little Falls, made a cash grant of $10,000, reports Greg Bergman, SBDC director. “The Initiative Foundation has been a long-term supporter of the Small Business Development Center,” said Bergman. “They recognize the value of small businesses in Central Minnesota to our economy.” Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union has made a $1,000 donation. “We appreciate the support of financial institutions like Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union,” Bergman said. “They are great partners in supporting small businesses in our region.” Farmers and Merchants Bank of Pierz made a $500 donation. Bergman said: “We appreciate the support Farmers and Merchants Bank of Pierz has committed to the SBDC to help small businesses in our region.”The mission of the Central Lakes College Small Business Development Center is to improve economic growth in Minnesota by providing assistance to small businesses in order to increase the number of new business start-ups, expand existing small businesses, and reduce the number of small business failures.
