Enterprise Institute expands offices to Yankton
01/04/05
The Enterprise Institute, whose mission is to grow new business in South Dakota through education and research, has opened an office in the Events Center , the old Fantles Building , at 214 Walnut, Suite 201 , in Yankton.
"We want to make it easier to meet with clients in what has become the third biggest region for our services," said Marcia Hendrickson , Enterprise Institute Director. "We also plan to hold angel investor meetings and conferences in the facility."
The Enterprise Institute will work cooperatively with Planning and Development District III and the Small Business Development Center . "We look forward to strengthening our public/private relationship with the Enterprise Institute to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership," said Sue Stoll, Yankton SBDC Regional Director.
The Enterprise Institute provides services like market and competitive analysis, business plan review and financial analysis, and connects entrepreneurs with mentors who have started businesses and know potential pitfalls. The Independent Inventor Institute, an allied agency in the Brookings office, searches patents and trademarks for similar or competing products and services. Initially, the Yankton office will be opened on Wednesdays staffed by Vonnie Barnett , an Economic Intelligence Officer with the Enterprise Institute office in Sioux Falls . "Curt and Cena Bernard, owners of the building, have been gracious in offering us the space to help serve people in the entire region," said Barnett who encourages entrepreneurs, inventors and start-up businesses to develop ideas and products. "Curt just became mayor of Yankton, and Cena is intensely involved in community historic preservation which will help make valuable connections for the office."
Enterprise Institute board member Al Kurtenbach, who also serves on the Mount Marty College board of directors, says the office will be important not only to the Enterprise Institute, but also to the entire state. "Yankton and Mount Marty College have long been at the forefront of providing educational economic opportunities to the entire Nebraska , Iowa and South Dakota region, so an Enterprise Institute office there provides a natural progression."
People interested in meeting with Barnett at the Yankton office can schedule an appointment through the Brookings Enterprise Institute home office at 605.697.5015 or e-mail vonnieb@sdei.org .
For more information on the Enterprise Institute and its services, call the Brookings office or visit its website at www.sdei.org.