Tech Center to Council?

The California Trade and Commerce Agency said Tuesday it tentatively agreed to award the operation of a small business development center focused on technology to the Orange County Business Council.

The operation of the center has been available since UC Irvine shut its Accelerate small business development center in December. The center helped develop fast-growing and high-tech companies in Orange County by offering services such as management advice and financing options.

A half-dozen other entities bid on the center, which the state hopes to have operating by January.

A final decision won’t come until a five-day grace period ends at 5 p.m. Friday, allowing the other bidders a chance to appeal, said Michael Marando, an agency spokesman.

Although most of the funding comes from state and federal governments, the host organization must provide about 25% of the funding. In this case, that amounts to about $94,000, Marando said.