Susan Hoosier has been named as the director of the Northwest Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Located in the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation, the SBDC serves businesses and prospective business owners in a twelve-county service area in Northwestern Minnesota.

Hoosier most recently served as the a business development and loan specialist with the Headwaters Regional Development Commission in Bemidji. Her experience includes serving a variety of capacities in within agencies supporting business development as well as in businesses, nonprofit organizations, education, and the real estate profession.

A graduate of Bemidji State, she is certified by the National Development Council as a certified economic developer and recently managed a $3.8 million loan fund servicing five counties in Northern Minnesota.

"I’m looking forward to working with existing businesses and new businesses to create new opportunities in our region," Hoosier said. "The services offered by the SBDC are a valuable resource as businesses deal with start-up issues, cash flow management and expansion opportunities.

"In addition, our association with the Bemidji State University Marketing Assistance and Research Solutions Center allows us to provide expanded marketing assistance. These services are vital to our region as we face new economic challenges in the future."

Located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North, the Center for Research and Innovation is an off-campus facility developed to serve as a conduit between Bemidji State and business, industry, nonprofit organizations, and the general public.

More information is available by contacting the Small Business Development Center, Center for Research and Innovation, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 (218-755-4255).