Imizu City is set to open a new City Business Support Center on April 1, 2025, situated on the second floor of Al Plaza Kosugi, conveniently located next to Kosugi Station. This initiative aims to bolster local entrepreneurship by providing resources and support for students and small businesses in the area.
The center will serve as a hub for business advisory services, specifically designed to assist students interested in startups and to support the management of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Imizu. Business advisors at the center will focus on enhancing interaction between students and local SMEs, facilitating a vibrant exchange of ideas and resources.
Operational responsibilities for the center will be shared among several key organizations: Hokuriku Bank based in Toyama City, Professional Talent Sharing and Circulation located in Tokyo, and facility management provider ATOICA from Miyazaki Prefecture. These partners bring a wealth of expertise and resources that will contribute significantly to the center’s mission.
Leading the advisory efforts will be Takashi Sudo, a seasoned management consultant and business advisor, who, alongside two staff members, will provide consultations tailored to local needs. As Sudo explained, "Consultations will be available for startups from students at prefectural universities, Toyama Kosen, and vocational schools in the city, as well as for solving problems and developing products for small and medium-sized enterprises that do not belong to chambers of commerce and industry or societies of commerce and industry," reported by Chūnichi Shimbun.
This focused approach is particularly crucial for SMEs that may lack the resources or connections typically available through larger commerce networks. The center is expected to handle four consultation cases per day, with each consultation lasting approximately one hour, aiming to maximize the support students and local entrepreneurs can receive.
Further, the center's opening correlates with a notable increase in local aquaculture, particularly in the farming of Sakura sea bream. This year, the inaugural haul has reportedly tripled compared to last year's figures, indicating a rising interest in local food production and entrepreneurship within this sector. This success story in aquaculture underscores the potential for economic growth that can be unlocked through targeted support and expertise.
The establishment of the City Business Support Center in Imizu represents an exciting step forward for the local economy. By fostering collaboration between students and established businesses, the initiative aims to nurture innovation and drive entrepreneurial spirit in the region. As this center opens its doors, it stands as a beacon of opportunity for both budding entrepreneurs and established entities seeking to enhance their business capabilities.
With these efforts underway, Imizu City not only aims to support young entrepreneurs in their ventures but also to strengthen the overall economic landscape, making it a ripe environment for growth and collaboration. Local residents and students interested in starting their businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available through the new center, paving the way for a vibrant, entrepreneur-friendly community.
