Gulf Shores, Ala. — The Business Support Center (BSC) has moved to new offices, where the group will continue to help area businesses become more productive and profitable and better able to thrive in our cyclical economy.  The offices are located at Faulkner State Community College in Gulf Shores.

"Hundreds of Baldwin County businesses have relied on the Business Support Center to help them establish best business practices," said Interim Director Bonita York Goram when making the announcement. "We want to thank our partners for providing the means for continuing this good, much-needed work."

With a particular focus on small- and medium-sized business, the BSC, which was established in June 2010, helps business owners and managers to set goals, and then provides marketing, management and financial consultation, guidance and referrals to help them achieve those goals. This includes helping them discover new products and customers; “wowing” current customers; improving internal operations; and collaborating with others.

The BSC will also continue to host focus groups, opportunities where professionals from industry segments come together to collaborate on projects to benefit all businesses.

The next focus groups are:

·         Restaurant: Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m.

·         Retail: Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m.

Accommodations: Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.

The focus groups will be held at:

The Meyer Building (use the northeast entry)

1585 Gulf Shores Parkway

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

The magic that makes the BSC successful is a unique partnership between two chambers of commerce and a community college.

The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce bring a strong focus on business - making sure that the business community makes full use of the BSC and making sure that the BSC is providing good, insightful guidance to businesses.

Faulkner State Community College offers a connection to a wealth of business and workforce training opportunities in medical professional services, hospitality and events management, information technology, computers and computer graphics, arts and sciences and much more. Special programs include the educational courses "Five-Star Southern Hospitality Training," "Lean Enterprise Training" and "Fast-Start Hospitality Training" as well as courses about innovation and leadership.

The BSC is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with offices just off the main lobby at Faulkner State Community College: 3301 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL, 36542. For appointments, call (251) 968-3118.