Had it not been for the Business Information Center, 169 E. 100 South, Janet Martin might not have started her own business of baking biscotti (a dunking cookie that originated in Italy) and selling it to coffee houses.

Martin spent 280 hours at the center reading, researching and meeting with counselors to write a business plan. Now she operates a bakery at 155 W. Commonwealth Ave., where she bakes biscotti. One day she hopes to open a retail outlet for her product, but for now she receives orders over her Web site.Not knowing much about business, Martin went to the Business Information Center for help. Thursday she thanked everyone connected to the center during a ceremony that marked the first anniversary of the center and the opening of a Market Research Center.

Martin said she started baking biscotti for friends three years ago, and soon word of mouth had her baking them for businesses and catering companies. Last January she went to the Business Information Center to learn how to run a business, and it wasn't long before she had obtained financing to get her started.

The center was created as a "one-stop shopping center" for small-business owners and entrepreneurs in Utah. Its free resources includes hundreds of business publications, videos and compact disks, computerized work stations, business software, Internet and online services and specialized training and counseling by the Service Corps of Retired Executives.

The Market Research Center is a business resource housed within the Business Information Center providing market research to help business owners learn how, when and where to market their products. The manager is Dan Steffen.

During the ceremony, Marci Milligan, development specialist for American Express Centurion Bank, presented a $10,00 check to Susan Yoshimura, Business Information Center manager, to keep the center open longer hours.

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Previously, the center was open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but because of the check the new hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Frank Skillern, chief executive officer of American Express Centurion Bank, said supporting the extended hours at the center allows the bank to meet its commitment to community development programs through local, state and federal governments and private institutions.

Harrison said creation of a Business Information Center requires partnerships between state and local government and businesses.

The Business Information Center is a partnership between the Utah Technology Finance Corp., Service Corps of Retired Executives and Small Business Administration and is supported by the Utah Technology Finance Corp. and private contributions.

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