In addition to working to form meaningful relationships between Iowa State University and companies, the EDIR team works to identify opportunities to serve the community.
We work with several organizations to provide critical support to programs and services that aid students, faculty and staff to deliver a variety of critical services Iowa communities.
Our Small Business Development Centers are located in 15 locations throughout the state and are purposefully embedded in the community college and community frameworks of those supporting towns. They provide a variety of business support services for new and existing businesses.
The Center for Industrial Research and Service is embedded in every Iowa county and provides measurable impact to our communities through supporting industry partners in a variety of areas as they grow and respond to market needs, trends and even natural disasters.
Whether that is an all hands on deck approach to supporting our communities with immediate flood relief, or small business triage support in the wake of natural disasters, or helping to provide rural support to communities through a variety of services with our extension, SBDC and CIRAS partnerships, we are poised to help.
Additionally, our engagement teams are well connected across these communities and with our campus partners, and can oftentimes connect company goals with student engagement activities to facilitate greater good and additional volunteer engagement.