Thanks to dedicated members of the business department, the new Linfield Entrepreneurship Center will begin next semester.

The slogan for the center is “leading, educating, connecting,” which by no accident is the same abbreviation as the center itself.

The idea was sprouted by Professor of Business Malcom Greenlees, who recruited senior Andrew Bean to help make his vision a reality. After several guest speakers suggested the idea of a program to assist local businesses, Greenlees said he decided to take action.
Bean has created the business plan for the center and hopes to see it off to a good start before he graduates this semester.

“The center will run a consulting program for aspiring and small business owners in the area,” Bean said.

Greenlees said the LEC will act as a type of small business incubator, an organization that accelerates the success and development of entrepreneurs’ ideas by providing business support services.

The center will not charge for its services and will provide students with independent study credit, Greenlees said.

He said students who work there will be able to learn from the business owners as well as learn about the process of creating a business.

“We hope to introduce upperclass students to small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the county by offering a non-charging business analysis,” Bean said.

Chemeketa Community College runs a similar program, and Greenlees said the LEC hopes to learn from the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center.

“The students that know me know that I’m just a little bit crazy and I also have a scheme of the week,” Greenlees said. “So entrepreneurship is a interesting outlet for my creative energies.”

Greenlees said a Web site for the center will be linked to the Linfield site. The site will feature student-created resources for entrepreneurs, such as a personal attitude checklist and business assessment analysis.

Bean said professors from the business department in different areas of expertise plan to help the students with the industry specifics.

Greenlees said he has greatly appreciated the work of Bean and other students who have put forth time and effort to get the center started.

“The objective is to make sure students learn well and have a good experience,” Greenlees said.

The center will be located in the old Northup Library when the building’s remodel is completed. Starting next semester, the center will be run out of an undetermined room in Taylor Hall.

Bean said the Web site will be up and running in the next few weeks. He said he hopes to publicize the center by presenting the idea at a McMinnville Chamber of Commerce meeting.