NIC’s Idaho Small Business Development Center awards grants

Three northern Idaho companies were recently awarded $20,000 grants through the Idaho Small Business Development Center.

Marine Co. of Harrison, Ground Force Manufacturing of Post Falls and Bullet Tools of Hayden each received grants in a competitive grant program for small- and medium-sized, high-growth companies seeking to streamline operations using integrated software solutions.

The grant recipients from northern Idaho were among 12 companies from across the state selected for the grants.

The grants will supplement each company’s own funds for the training and services necessary to implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. One of the most common challenges growing businesses face is the rising operational inefficiencies caused by disconnected systems within an organization. ERP systems integrate technology, processes and data across the organization to maximize operational efficiency. The greatest impact is typically in resource management, such as inventory, personnel, scheduling and billing, integral elements of most businesses.

According to Bill Jhung, director of North Idaho College’s Idaho Small Business Development Center which assisted the companies in applying for the grants, the training costs are key to successful implementation of the ERP systems, but are often under-budgeted.

“These grants will help these businesses become even more competitive in their industries with new ERP systems,” Jhung said. “Their continued success will help create more manufacturing opportunities and jobs in North Idaho.”

Two of the grant recipients have received business coaching from NIC’s Idaho Small Business Development Center. All three businesses will receive assistance from the center in their ERP implementation.

NIC’s Idaho Small Business Development Center provides no-cost business coaching and low-cost business training for entrepreneurs in northern Idaho.

Information: (208) 769-3284.