The Iowa Board of Regents awarded center status to the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center at its meeting on April 6-7. Since launching in 2018, the FBC has offered peer group services, family networking events, in-person and virtual expert panels designed specifically for family firms, and the annual Family Business Conference, which is the first in Iowa. In the last year the FBC has developed a membership model that provides access to its events and services at a discounted rate. “Family-owned businesses are essential to Iowa’s economy, and a lot of times they don’t know that they’re not the only businesses struggling with obstacles that are unique to family businesses,” said Dan Beenken, director of the FBC. “We serve as the connector between families and the resources they need to be successful, and we are grateful that the Iowa Board of Regents has granted us center status so that we can continue this mission.” Program associate Katie Kreis can be contacted for more information at katie.kreis@uni.edu.