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The Iowa Department of Economic Development is retooling the Iowa Entrepreneur Network Web site to make it a more interactive portal for start-up businesses. The Web site (www.iowaentrepreneur.com) was originally developed by the Iowa Business Council.

“The hope is to establish a deeper level of resources for entrepreneurs out there,” said Elliott Smith, the Iowa Business Council’s executive director. The IBC has been working on the project for several years, and recently asked the state to essentially take over the project. “For most of 2007 we were up and ready to do this, but we kind of lacked the horsepower to get it going,” he said.

One of the Web site’s key functions will be to connect entrepreneurs with managerial talent to help their start-up businesses succeed, said Karen Merrick, administrator of the IDED’s Commercialization and Innovation Division.

“One thing we know is that lack of management talent is a reason many of these start-ups fail,” Merrick said. Now under development, the updated site will include a searchable resume database, as well as a number of other links and resources for professionals seeking to connect with start-up businesses.

Another key element of the site will be a blog-style forum entrepreneurs can use to ask questions to be directed to state agencies or programs that may assist them, as well as to access experts from organizations such as the regional business accelerators, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers and the Small Business Development Centers.

The site will also be linked to the Iowa Bankers Association and Iowa State Bar Association Web sites to help entrepreneurs connect with resources. “If you’re in a small town, where are the first places you’re going to go?” Merrick said. “Either your small-town banker or your attorney.”

Merrick said she expects the updated site will go live by early April.