Ivy Tech Community College is doubling down on its commitment to local commerce by expanding specialized support systems designed to keep small businesses thriving. The college recently celebrated this mission during its sixteenth annual Cook Center Luncheon, where DG Elmore of Elmore Companies spoke candidly about the realities of leadership. By connecting current students with seasoned veterans who have navigated four decades of industrial shifts, the institution is ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs understands that success requires both strategic grit and a spirit of community service.
Beyond mentorship, the college is introducing practical financial tools to help lifelong business owners secure their legacies. While Ivy Tech has long provided traditional business valuations for those looking to exit the market, it has launched a new checkup service tailored for main street shops that aren’t yet ready to close their doors. This proactive approach allows owners to identify inefficiencies and boost profitability years before they consider retirement, turning a simple valuation into a roadmap for long term growth.
To ensure these resources reach beyond urban hubs, Ivy Tech has partnered with the Governor’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation on a targeted pilot project. This initiative focuses specifically on the Indiana Uplands region, bringing critical expertise to rural areas such as Martin and Orange counties through collaborations with local economic development partnerships. By prioritizing smaller communities that typically lack access to high level consulting, the college aims to stabilize the backbone of rural economies.
As the year winds down, Steve Bryant, executive director of the Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, says the focus remains on sustaining a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem across south central Indiana. Whether through academic guidance for alumni or technical assistance for established shopkeepers, the program seeks to provide every single local operator with the tools necessary to survive and scale in an evolving economy.
