【時報訊】美國勞動統計局資料顯示小型企業對就業增長影響重大，經濟蕭條時期尤其如此。聖路易創業中心的小型企業確實就在為經濟復蘇發揮著積極作用。今年1月份以來，又有六家新辦企業加入聖路易創業中心。至今，該中心已有50多家企業。
「小企業也可以成就大事業。聖路易一定要為小企業主的成功提供幫助與支持。」 聖路易郡長Charlie A. Dooley說，「聖路易縣85%以上的的企業，雇員少於25人，正是這些小型企業支撐起了當地的大部分就業市場和經濟發展。」
2008年聖路易經濟委員會所做的、關於聖路易創業中心專案對本地區經濟影響的分析表明，該創業中心項目作用顯著。從1986年該專案開辦以來，當地工作機會和財富持續穩定增長。2007年，創業中心的企業（包括已畢業和即將畢業的）共雇傭了716名全日制員工，該年這些企業的總銷售額合計近1.6億美元。
創業中心副主席Dennis Breite在尋找新的入駐企業時，關注的是企業是否有好的商業計畫、發展目標和創造就業機會的潛力。新生企業通常會選擇一個離家較近的創業中心----West County、South County、Wellston或者Midtown----當它們從創業中心“畢業”遷出時，還能繼續促進當地經濟發展。
「通常企業在創業中心待上五年左右，那時它們已能自立，且有實力自己租用獨立辦公室。」 Breite先生說，「企業畢業遷出中心時，我們往往是苦樂參半。一方面，我們與各企業建立了良好的關係，不想它們離開；另一方面，看到它們成長，且其中也有中心的很大一份功勞，不由地又很開心。」
今年入駐中心的六家企業分屬不同行業，它們是：Century Restoration，緊急水務處理； Eagle Communications，技術諮詢；Hess Printing Solutions，廣告列印服務；Inside Hospitality, 客戶體驗分析；LipoSpectrum, 類脂物分析公司；Strategic Property Advisors，防止房地產查封拍賣(anti-foreclosure)諮詢服務。
聖路易創業中心簡介聖路易創業中心直屬于聖路易經濟委員會，受其監督和管轄。該創業中心項目旨在通過為新興企業提供一系列服務和支援，包括辦公場所和設備、倉儲、專業知識指導、組織專業研討會及社交網路拓展等，從而幫助新公司成功發展。它是聖路易經濟委員會促進本地區經濟發展的重要舉措之一。
St. Louis Enterprise Centers Add Six New Startups
St. Louis--U.S. Bureau Labor and Statistics data indicates that small businesses have one of the greatest impacts on job growth, especially during recessionary times. And job growth is exactly what small business owners at the St. Louis Enterprise Centers are doing to revive the economy. Since January 2009, six new small businesses have made the Enterprise Centers their home, adding to the more than 50 companies.
"Small business is big business, and St. Louis County is committed to the success of our small business owners," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "Over 85 percent of all businesses in St. Louis County have fewer than 25 employees, and it is these small businesses that make up the vast majority of jobs and economic stimulus to our region."
According to a 2008 Impact Analysis Study conducted by the St. Louis County Economic Council, which evaluated the impact of the St. Louis Enterprise Centers program on the St. Louis regional economy, the results showed the program is doing its job. Steady growth in both job and wealth creation continues to rise since the program's inception in 1986. In 2007, the Enterprise Center companies employed 716 full-time employees, which included existing and graduating clients, with gross revenues totaling nearly $160 million.
St. Louis Enterprise Centers Vice President Dennis Breite looks for companies with a solid business plan, growth objectives and the potential to create jobs. Startups usually choose an Enterprise Center location〞West County, South County, Wellston, or Midtown-that's close to their home, so when they graduate from the facility, they'll continue to spur the local economy.
"Typically, St. Louis Enterprise Center tenants stay for approximately five years. By then they have begun to establish themselves and are strong enough to office on their own," said Breite. "It's bittersweet when companies "graduate." We build strong relationships with our client companies, and it's hard to let them go; but it's good because our Enterprise Centers provide crucial resources to help startups succeed."
The six new businesses that have moved into the Enterprise Centers represent a variety of industries. They include Century Restoration, emergency water mitigation; Eagle Communications, technology consulting; Hess Printing Solutions, marketing print services; Inside Hospitality, guest experience analysis; LipoSpectrum, lipid analysis company; and Strategic Property Advisors, anti-foreclosure advisory services.
*About St. Louis Enterprise CentersSt. Louis Enterprise Centers are governed by a City/County board and staffed by St. Louis County Economic Council. The nationally recognized program is designed to foster the success of new companies by offering a range of support services including affordable office and warehouse space, office equipment, access to expert mentoring, professional seminars, and networking opportunities. The Enterprise Centers are one component ofSt. Louis County Economic Council's overall efforts to promote economic development in the county and region.
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