Matthew Welch – Michigan SBDC Northwest Regional Director, Randy Hill -Vice President for Academic Affairs
Cadillac, MI — Baker College, in partnership with the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Wednesday, September 17, 2025 to celebrate the opening of the SBDC’s new regional office at Baker’s Cadillac campus.
The event brought together community members, business leaders, students, and local entrepreneurs to highlight the importance of small businesses in fueling regional growth. Guests enjoyed networking, food trucks, campus tours, and testimonials from local business owners who have benefited from the Michigan SBDC’s services.
Randy Hill, Vice President for Academic Affairs, opened the ceremony and welcomed attendees before introducing Dr. Jacqui Spicer, President and CEO of Baker College. Dr. Spicer emphasized the College’s commitment to supporting small businesses as part of its mission to drive economic development and student success.
J.D. Collins, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan SBDC, delivered remarks about the SBDC’s work and the positive impact of the new office location. Matthew Welch, Northwest Regional Director, also spoke about the partnership’s role in expanding access to critical resources for entrepreneurs.
Three local small business owners — Don Cui of Anywhere DOT Exams, Chris Woodley of Scutes and Scales, and Andrew Maxwell of Max Swings — shared personal stories about how the SBDC helped them start and grow their businesses.
The program concluded with a ribbon-cutting and group photo, followed by an open house where guests toured the facilities and continued networking.
“This new office represents not only a resource for businesses but also a symbol of Baker College’s commitment to the vitality of our communities,” said Dr. Spicer. “We are proud to work alongside the Michigan SBDC to ensure that entrepreneurs across our region have access to the tools they need to thrive.”
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.
The Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC) provides expert, no-cost counseling, training and research services to small businesses across the state. For more information, visit michigansbdc.org. The Michigan SBDC is hosted on a state level by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. Regional hosts include Baker College, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Kettering University, Lansing Community College, Michigan Technological University, Mid Michigan College, Saginaw Valley State University, Washtenaw Community College and Western Michigan University. Michigan SBDC services are available through the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and are funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). All opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.