April 16, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--University of West Alabama officials this week formally dedicated the newly created James Suttles Entrepreneurship Institute, which was made possible by a $350,000 gift to “The University We Will Be” campaign from James Suttles of Demopolis, founder and president of Suttles Truck Leasing, Inc.

Housed in UWA’s College of Business, the institute will provide Black Belt residents with the knowledge and skills to launch new endeavors, while retaining and expanding existing small businesses in the region.
 

According to Dr. Ken Tucker, dean of the College of Business, this institute will positively affect the overall economic and community development efforts in the region.
 

“We are very grateful to Mr. Suttles for his generous gift because we believe the entrepreneurship institute will help create and retain jobs in this economically depressed region and help keep more of our best graduates in the area,” Tucker said.
 

“Over 80 percent of people employed in the west Alabama area work for small businesses. This institute will allow small business owners the necessary tools and resources to be more successful, grow their business and hire additional people,” he continued.
 

As a businessman, Suttles says the entrepreneurship project interests him because of the need for opportunities in the long underserved Black Belt region.
 

“The University of West Alabama has provided my business with many good employees from the College of Business, and it helps our business when we hire good people,” Suttles said.

“UWA has a great impact in the Black Belt area by training students who are willing to work hard. I know from experience that UWA does a good job, especially in the College of Business.”
 

The institute will provide hands-on learning opportunities for UWA students and community residents through a series of entrepreneurial workshops and seminars offered during the academic year and in the summer. With a College of Business faculty member serving as director, the Institute will bring to campus small business experts from across the nation to conduct the seminars. In addition, the establishment of the institute will also allow UWA business management students to earn their degree on the entrepreneurship track.
 

“The institute will offer comprehensive training, with typical seminar topics including small business start-up activities, business and strategic planning, marketing, accounting systems and principles, human resources, financial management, grant writing, tax planning and preparation, legal issues and general management concepts,” Tucker said.