State certification should help Eagle Tool soar even higherState certification should help Eagle Tool soar even higher

The Targeted Small Business Assistance (TSB) Program supports the creation and expansion of small businesses that are certified as TSBs. To qualify for the program, a business must have annual gross sales of less than $4 million and be at least 51% owned, operated and actively managed by women, minorities or persons with disabilities. In addition, the business must be a for profit business headquartered in Iowa. Certified TSBs are eligible to apply for low-interest loans and equity grants through the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED). State purchasing officers also consider TSBs when seeking bids for goods and services.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has a number of similar programs; here is a link to information on Iowa's TSB Program.

Eagle Tool (Dyersville, IA) president Georgia Brown commented, "The federal and state governments have established goals to expand opportunities for TSBs. As a company with over 25 years of providing high-quality service, our existing and potential clients with publicly funded contracts can trust that we not only satisfy these goals, but that we also can continue to provide the leading industry tooling we've come to be known for. This opens up new opportunities for the company; opportunities that we'll use to re-invest in our employees, our community and the state's industrial base."

Currently the moldmaker employs 16 and has a 17,300-square-foot facility. Brown said the company serves injection molders in the industrial components, household goods, electronics, heavy equipment, toys and medical products markets.