SOURCE:
THE LAURINBURG EXCHANGEFor dislocated workers in Scotland County, Debra Morman with ProjectGATE may be able to help you find an alternative career path as abusiness owner.
GATE stands for Growing America ThroughEntrepreneurship. It is a cooperative venture between several agenciesto offer individuals assistance in starting a business.
Peopleselected can continue receiving unemployment benefits while attendingRichmond Community College’s Rural Entrepreneurship through ActionLearning Program to develop a business plan and determine whether theirideas are viable.
"The scholarship component covers tuitionfor the REAL program and for vocational and business courses related totheir business plans,” said Morman, who works for RCC’s Small BusinessCenter.
Participants with workable business plans can apply tothe N.C. Rural Center’s Microenterprise Loan Program for start-upcapital.
Morman is located at the Employment Security CommissionJobLink Center and counsels individuals about the risks and benefits ofstarting a business. Her clients get the additional benefit of herbackground as a business coach.
“Despite the serious challengesin the current economy, there is a light at the end of the tunnel formany individuals looking to have promising careers as business owners,"she said.
The program has 12 participants so far. Theirinterests range from start-up businesses in commercial cleaning andbrick masonry to purchasing franchises. "Some people I spoken with havealways had an entrepreneurial spirit, but are unsure of what they wantto do,” she said.
Morman provides these people assessments thatwill guide them toward options that fit their interests and skills sothey stand a greater chance of being successful.
ESC Manager Burnest Graham said the program is the greatest thing he has seen in his career.
“Tohelp people start a business on a solid foundation is wonderful. Somany people start a business and close their doors prematurely becausethey gave it no thought," Graham said. "When you apply sound businessprinciples, you know you need money to start a business. How long youkeep it determines how long you stay in business. If you can attendcollege and then get a loan to build a financial base, that’swonderful.”
GATE partners are the N.C. Department of Commerce,RCC’s Small Business Center, the ESC JobLink, and the N.C. RuralEconomic Development Center.
Visit Morman at the ESC office, call her at 276-4260, or e-mail at debram@richmondcc.edu.
SOURCE:
THE LAURINBURG EXCHANGE