In this position, Mace will provide free consultation services and affordable training to business owners and prospective business owners in Butler, Chase, Greenwood, Marion and Morris counties.

Mace previously owned a successful business consulting firm, Maverick Creative Group, and served as senior brand strategist with Sullivan Higdon and Sink. He holds a Master of Agribusiness from Kansas State University and served as business development specialist with the Kansas Ag Innovation Center.

“Dave’s experience as an entrepreneur, consultant and marketer will be a tremendous asset to KSBDC clients,” said WSU KSBDC regional director, Marcia Stevens. “His strong background in agribusiness makes him an ideal consultant to expand our services in rural Kansas.”

The new Outreach Center will be located at the Butler County College Andover Campus, at 715 E. 13th St.

“A key element of Butler Community College’s mission is support for area businesses to help ensure their continued well-being,” President Jackie Vietti said. “This key partnership with the KSBDC will be an invaluable asset to business owners within our service area and is certain to contribute to a stronger regional economy.”

Emporia State University also supports the new Outreach Center. Because of this partnership, the KSBDC will provide increased services to entrepreneurs in four counties currently served out of the ESU KSBDC Regional Center.

“We are extremely pleased to be part of this new partnership which will enable us to increase our outreach efforts in Chase, Greenwood, Marion and Morris counties,” said Lisa Brumbaugh, regional director of the ESU KSBDC. “Small businesses in these rural areas need as much or more help as businesses in more populated places. They have unique issues, and some of their needs are very different from those of businesses in our larger population centers. We look forward to increasing our assistance to them.”

The KSBDC network includes eight regional and nine outreach centers. Each assists established firms, growth companies and start-up enterprises. Any individual interested in starting or growing a small business may receive free assistance with business plan development, strategic planning, financial projections, marketing, management and other issues.