Local Incubator Proponent Chairs National Business Incubation Association (NBIA)

Oct. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Santa Fe, NM – Marie Longserre, President/CEO at Santa Fe Business Incubator since it broke ground February 1997, took over as Chair of the Board, National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) October 2, 2011.

NBIA serves approximately 2,000 members worldwide with 900 affiliated incubators in operation in the U.S. and 40 countries.

David Monkman, NBIA President/CEO said. “Marie’s a gifted and talented consensus builder by nature. I look forward to significant progress in program connecting communities this year. Twenty-five percent of our membership is from rural communities and Marie manages a program in a small community that incorporates both high tech and services businesses. This segment is particularly important in light of the recession we find ourselves in.”

“I know incubation works,” Marie stated. It’s what our communities need now…a proven model to grow startup businesses and create jobs.”

“She believes in the value of economic development through incubation and is a leader in business incubation, both in New Mexico and the United States,” confirmed Jasper Welch, former director Enterprise Center, San Juan College Incubator, the second certified NM Incubator. “Marie helped every one of the six New Mexico incubators gain their certification.”

In addition to the Santa Fe Business Incubator and the San Juan College Incubator other certified NM incubators include Albuquerque’s South Valley Economic Development Incubator and WESST Enterprise Center, Arrowhead Technology Incubator in Las Cruces, and the Clovis Business Incubator.

Earlier this year, Marie served on the planning committee for REDI Green Business Cluster, a Northern New Mexico Regional Economic Development Initiative for the counties of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Taos and Santa Fe. She is now directing implementation of the project.

Marie served as a board member and treasurer for the New Mexico Small Business Investment Corporation (NMSBIC) which helps deliver lending and equity capital to NM businesses.

Prior to SFBI she developed, launched and managed three successful art businesses and served two terms as Chair of the Santa Fe Gallery Association.

About SFBI:
The Santa Fe Business Incubator produces high-impact economic returns for the community of Santa Fe and the state of New Mexico. To date, SFBI has helped create and grow more than 75 businesses. Specifically, as of 12-31-10, revenues for client companies and affiliates have exceeded $100 million; payroll generated has been in excess of $40 million. Client companies and graduates have created over 800 direct new jobs, the majority of which are above minimum wage and/or high-paying jobs. Of the total number of companies served since 1997, over 80% of graduates are still in business, or have merged or been acquired, five years after graduation. For more information, log onto http://www.sfbi.net.

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