The Indiana Small Business Development Center recently announced applications are open for the Indiana Technical Assistance Program through Feb. 20.

This statewide initiative connects small businesses with critical professional assistance to complete growth and improvement projects, according to a news release from the center.

Through the program, eligible small businesses may apply to receive up to $15,000 in professional services from a qualified vendor to complete growth and improvement projects that require specialized assistance or technical expertise, such as app or technology development, intellectual property legal assistance and grant writing assistance for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

The program is administered in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, which houses the South Central Indiana SBDC regional office.

INTAP has assisted 128 businesses with completing projects since the program was launched in 2017, 68 of which were completed in 2021.

To be eligible for INTAP, Indiana small businesses must be or become an Indiana SBDC client, have a physical presence in Indiana, use a vendor physically located in Indiana, be able to complete the project within five months and before Dec. 31, be an eligible project type and be able to demonstrate a positive impact after completion, including but not limited to new job creation, increased production or sales or new market expansion.

The center, which is a program of the IEDC, helps businesses start, grow, finance, innovate and transition through no-cost, confidential business advising and training.

For information, visit isbdc.org.