CMURC Announces New Program to Accelerate Local High-Tech Business Creation, Growth

MT. PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University Research Corp. this week announced creation of new business incubator and accelerator services for entrepreneurs and early stage companies within the community.

CMURC will provide a three-phased Right Choice Program that will empower entrepreneurs with the right resources and tools to achieve their individual business goals.

"The Right Choice program puts structure behind our services," CMURC president and CEO Erin O'Brien said. "This program allows us to select the entrepreneurs with the greatest potential and offer them this service at no cost."

Within the Right Choice program, CMURC will deliver tools for helping create a business name, legally forming a company, market research, financing options, business expenses review, mentorship, business infrastructure consultation, all the way to supporting the first sale, and every step in between.

"CMURC is one of Michigan's SmartZones that continues to impress us with their amount of capital raised and jobs and companies created," MEDC representative Paula Sorrell said.

In 2012, CMURC facilitated the creation of more than eight new companies and more than 46 jobs last year in the community.

"I am confident that because of the Right Choice program those numbers will only increase in 2013," O'Brien said.

Funds for this initiative were provided by the 21st Century Jobs Fund, a Michigan Strategic Fund program designed to accelerate the growth and diversification of Michigan's economy. The Michigan Economic Development Corp., a public-private partnership between the state and local communities, provides administrative support for the 21st Century Jobs Fund. The MEDC markets Michigan and provides the tools and environment to drive job creation and investment. For more information on the 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative, visit www.MichiganAdvantage.org.

CMURC is a nonprofit business incubator focused on advancing economic development in the community by leveraging the resources of Central Michigan University, the Mount Pleasant SmartZone and its local, regional and statewide partners to accelerate the success of entrepreneurs, growing businesses and jobs. CMURC is a single source of contact that provides physical space, essential business services and business development that supports emerging businesses. More at www.cmurc.com.