Syracuse University was recently recognized as fourth on the Top 10 Big Brands Supporting Job Creation Initiatives, the only college to make the list.

Other top brands featured on the list, which was published by SmartRecruiters.com, include UPS Inc., General Mills Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. FedEx Corp. received the top ranking.

The main reason SU received a spot on the list was because of the university’s South Side Innovation Center, which was created in 2006 by the entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises program at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. The center provides facilities, classes, training and networking opportunities for the local community, according to SSIC’s website.

By aiding aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, women, minorities, low-income individuals, individuals with disabilities and those interested in food product development and manufacture, SSIC works to provide training and aid to help entrepreneurs succeed, according to the SSIC’s website.

Since its founding, the SSIC has helped 300 disabled or low-income individuals register 70 businesses, 51 of which are currently in operation, secure $1.4 million in loans and create 447 jobs, which the program helped 123 residents retain, according to SSIC’s website.

SSIC programs include the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, supporting clients and tenants of SSIC; WISE Women’s Business Center for women seeking to start or grow a business; Syracuse Community Test Kitchen to help “foodpreneurs” launch businesses; and Start-up NY/ Program for Investment in Micro-entrepreneurs, which is a program supporting low-income and disabled entrepreneurs with training and assistance.

The programs featured on the list “promote job growth through entrepreneurship training, skills development, microloans, and business classes,” according to the list.

The main goal of these programs is to both aid new businesses and start businesses. During the last seven years, SSIC has assisted 831 businesses and created 384 new businesses, according to SSIC’s website.

SSIC provides the intellectual, monetary and leadership capital that help entrepreneurs succeed in establishing profitable and sustainable businesses, according to SSIC’s website.

SSIC is working to provide skills and opportunities to community members who are struggling to find jobs, said Margaret Butler, manager of SSIC.

The center has also won awards for its programs and initiatives in the past. Last year, SSIC won 2012 Incubator of the Year from the National Business Incubator Association. It also won the 2012 Community Entrepreneurial Leadership Award from the Falcone Center, according to SSIC’s website.

Published on March 20, 2013 at 1:46 am

Contact Caroline: cstrange@syr.edu