Blackhawk Technical College and the Janesville Innovation Center (JIC) have entered into a new partnership that combines innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development.

Mark Borowicz, Blackhawk’s Director of Workforce and Community Development, has assumed the administrative and operational responsibilities of JIC. He had already been working closely with JIC, and a planned retirement by Mike Mathews, the JIC operations manager, facilitated this new arrangement.

“Since Blackhawk has a strong portfolio of programming with direct applications to small and medium-sized businesses, this partnership with the JIC makes sense — particularly because providing flexible education in a supportive environment is our mission statement,” Borowicz said.

Established in 2013 as a business incubator, the JIC offers startups and small businesses alike with a flexible, supportive and nurturing environment. While the physical environment is anchored by 22,000 square feet, the JIC offers much more than turn-key office suites and manufacturing bays at competitive market rates. JIC also provides a cultivating, mentoring and network-rich space where innovation-based firms can emerge, grow and thrive.

Borowicz is already working closely with other JIC partners to provide existing, as well as prospective tenants, with a host of holistic business-centric resources. While existing tenants can leverage a suite of onsite amenities and services ranging from coaching to a shared conference room and kitchen, there’s also the ability to access services from the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

For more information, contact Mark Borowicz at mborowicz@blackhawk.edu or 608-757-7623.

You’re Invited: Business After 5 at Janesville Innovation Center

Thursday, April 11, from 5-7 p.m.

2949 Venture Dr., Janesville