For 10 years, they've given small businesses a hand

By Bridget Scrimenti, bscrimenti@lowellsun.com

Russell Smith, Executive Director ot the Lowell Small Business Assistance Center

LOWELL -- Their dream was to open a European-style store with flowers, wine and gourmet food.

Now, C'est has been in business for almost a year, and its owners thank the Lowell Small Business Assistance Center for helping them get off the ground.

"They (the center) helped me out immensely," said Faith Chartrand, co-owner of C'est, who sought help writing a business plan.

Yesterday, the Lowell Small Business Assistance Center celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing help to area businesses.

"The center is there to provide access and the training to go out and start a business and successfully run it," said Russell Smith, the center's executive director.

The center has helped start more than 300 businesses that have created more than 340 jobs in Greater Lowell.

The Center was founded by Community Teamwork Inc., Middlesex Community College and the city of Lowell in response to an Urban Land Institute Study that suggested a small-business center would foster economic growth.

"The center was created when the downtown was in rough shape, and it's played a significant role in bringing the downtown back and changed a lot of people's lives," Smith said.

Entrepreneurs and small-business owners come to the center for help with business plans, accounting, sales and marketing, and business law.

Even with the economic downturn, Smith said more entrepreneurs have come to the center in recent months.

Starting May 18, the city will celebrate Lowell Small Business Week by hosting a series of events showcasing local businesses. It will also present seminars on an array of topics, including ways to take advantage of the federal economic stimulus bill.

For more information, log onto the city's Web site, www.lowellma.gov, and click on "Celebrate Lowell Small Business Week."

This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Friday, May 8, 2009