ASHEBORO —A new federalprogram to help laid-off workers start their own small businesses hasgotten off to a fast start at Randolph Community College.

Theprogram is offered as part of a U.S. Department of Labor nationaldemonstration program called Project GATE, or Growing America ThroughEntrepreneurship. GATE targets dislocated workers from rural countiesfor a variety of assistance directly related to starting and running abusiness. North Carolina is one of four states offering assistancethrough GATE from 2009 through 2011, and RCC is one of eight communitycolleges hosting GATE sites.

Jim Judge, the new GATE counselorat RCC who started work in late March, said his office has beeninundated with inquiries about the program, which offers free businesstraining, free counseling, and access to business loans. Judge said animportant component of the program is that unemployed workers can stillreceive their unemployment benefits while getting their businesses offthe ground.

Judge has over 20 years of business experienceworking for Fortune 100, small businesses and new start-ups. Hesuccessfully ran his own small business for over 10 years. He hascoached and mentored dozens of small businesses in the Piedmont Triadand surrounding communities for the past five years. He has developedmany business models and consults on the use of technology to helpbusinesses of all sizes run cost effectively. And he co-founded anonprofit mentoring organization to help local business owners andentrepreneurs grow.

Judge noted that GATE is not a part of the federal stimulus program.

“Itis timely because of the economic climate, but it was already in theworks,” he said. “We’re on the forefront of this recovery.” GATEoperates as a scholarship program, with up to 750 scholarships likelyto be awarded in North Carolina.

According to Judge, RandolphCommunity College’s GATE program emphasizes three key partners:JobLink, the Employment Security Commission, and the RCC Small BusinessCenter. Judge’s office is located within the JobLink Career Center onRCC’s Asheboro Campus.

“Nancy Landis (JobLink director) and her team have embraced the program and are very enthusiastic about it,” said Judge.

Interested workers don’t even have to wait for an appointment.

“They can self-administer a 10-minute orientation video on JobLink computers, click on a link, and immediately apply,” he said.

Judgewill also be at the Employment Security Commission office on SouthFayetteville Street once a week to meet with people and help themapply. Twenty minute orientation meetings are currently scheduled everyMonday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the ESC office. Judge said two-thirdsof the applications received so far have flowed from the ESC.

“I am working closely with Ikel Williams and his team on counseling people,” he said.

Sincethe GATE position reports under RCC’s Small Business Center directed byVictor Dau, applicants can draw on the strength of the seminars,classes and services offered by the College.

“We’re fortunate tohave such strong small business resources already in place that allowme to hit the ground running,” Judge said.

Those receiving aGATE scholarship will be eligible for a new, three-hour seminar titled“From Losing My Job to Owning My Job,” the North Carolina REALEntrepreneurship course, vocational courses related to the particularbusiness they are starting, and free ongoing coaching and confidentialcounseling from the Small Business Center. This might includedeveloping a business plan, financial counseling or credit repair, andhelp on other issues specific to the business.

So who iseligible for GATE? Applicants must be rural dislocated workers (lost ajob through no fault of their own due to a business closing or layoff)and be eligible for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program.Applicants must also be 18 or older and eligible to work in the UnitedStates.

In North Carolina, Project GATE is being offered as acooperative venture of the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C.Community College System – Small Business Center Network, theEmployment Security Commission of North Carolina, North Carolina REALEnterprises, local JobLink Career Centers and the Rural Center.

Interestedindividuals can call Judge at (336) 633-0306 or e-mail him atjmjudge@randolph.edu. For more information, go to www.randolph.edu andclick on the GATE Program Quick Link, or visit the local JobLink CareerCenter at RCC’s Asheboro Campus. Applications are also available onlineat www.ncprojectgate.org.