A new grant-supported program could help Colorado manufacturers with fewer than 20 employees grow their businesses in state, national, or export markets.
Called Small Manufacturer’s AdvantEDGE, the program leverages state and federal funding, along with a contribution from the manufacturer, to provide industry experts for coaching, consultation, and/or training based on the challenges each company faces. The expertise could be in business, finance, marketing, operational excellence, growth services, export services, or some other business facet.
Up to five days of on-site support concentrates on manufacturing process and tools, with targeted consulting or programming provided by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Other options include export-ready consulting and training or search-engine optimization and an advanced marketing analysis.
The North Metro Denver SBDC, housed at Front Range Community College, assisted in developing the statewide program, which launched this week. Contact Glenn Plagens, North Metro Denver SBDC senior director, for more details. He can be reached at glenn.plagens@frontrange.edu or (303) 460-1032.
Partners include the Colorado SBDC Network, Manufacturer’s Edge, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the World Trade Center, and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
About Front Range Community College
FRCC offers nearly 100 degree and certificate programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County, Westminster, and Brighton, and online.
FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), the state’s largest system of higher education, with 13 colleges across Colorado serving more than 151,000 students annually. CCCS is a vital statewide pathway to individual achievement and economic vitality. Further, CCCS institutions provide an accessible, responsive learning environment that facilitates the achievement of educational, professional, and personal goals by our students and other members of our communities, and each fosters an atmosphere that embraces academic excellence, diversity, and innovation.
