Apr 05, 2017

Investing in UNI, Investing in Iowa

UNI's Business and Community Services (BCS) is committed to supporting economic development and innovation throughout the state of Iowa. BCS has served businesses and organizations in all 99 Iowa counties for 17 consecutive years. Overall, BCS programs and projects have reached more than 410,000 Iowans!

As the umbrella organization for economic development and technology transfer at UNI, BCS provides hands-on assistance to small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and communities so they can grow and thrive. These innovative programs serve over 3,000 business and community clients each year. In addition, they reach thousands of small businesses through online resources and services such as MyEntre.Net, IASourceLink and the Business Concierge.

BCS serves as a single point of contact for Iowa businesses, entrepreneurs, local development groups and communities to reach out for assistance. Through BCS services, UNI helps Iowa businesses and communities meet the challenges of a globally competitive business environment.

If state funding was eliminated for these programs, it would result in:

  • Reduction in number of Iowa clients served from 3,120 in 2016 to less than 1,000. In addition, rural areas will be the most impacted, and UNI will not be able to have projects in every Iowa county.
  • Reduction statewide in new business start-ups and student business start-ups.
  • Reduction for student participation opportunities by 75 percent.
  • Loss of approximately $1.5 million in leveraged funds. In total, for every $1 of state appropriated funds to BCS, the 12 BCS programs leverage $5 in private grants, fees for services or federal funding.

Recognizing the state is in need of knowledgeable and hands-on assistance in starting, maintaining and growing businesses, BCS has spent the last 30 years working with Iowans on every level to address needs ranging from community and economic development to entrepreneurship and the environment.

For more information on BCS programs visit their website.