Program set up for laid-off workers

Posted on 20/9/5/13

SOURCE: NEWS-JOURNAL

ProjectGATE will operate as a scholarship program, with up to 750 scholarshipslikely to be awarded in North Carolina. A newprogram becomes available this week to help laid-off rural workersstart their own small business.

Project GATE will operate as ascholarship program, with up to 750 scholarships likely to be awardedin North Carolina. Selected individuals will be eligible for individualassessment of entrepreneurial skills, business and entrepreneurshipcourses, and focused, one-on-one business counseling.

The program isoffered as part of a U.S. Department of Labor demonstration calledProject GATE or Growing America Through Entrepreneurship. GATE targetsdislocated workers from rural counties for a variety of assistancedirectly related to starting and running a business. "This program hasthe potential to do far more than provide a source of income forindividuals who've lost jobs," said Billy Ray Hall, president of theN.C. Rural Economic Development Center. "It can help us build homegrowneconomies in struggling communities all across the state."

Unemploymentin North Carolina's 85 rural counties hit 12.3 percent in February.Seventeen rural counties had jobless rates of 15 percent or higher.Rural unemployment can be attributed in large part to continuinglayoffs and closings by textile, furniture and other traditionalmanufacturers. With other jobs scarce, self-employment may help keeprural workers in their communities, officials say. That potential isreflected in the growing numbers of dislocated workers expressinginterest in creating their own job or small business, Hall said.

Participants also will be introduced to a statewide network of businessresource professionals. Those who complete workable business plans willbe eligible to apply for microenterprise loans. The program, however,will not award grants to individuals or businesses.

Locally,the Small Business Centers of eight community colleges, which serve 13rural counties, are partnering with their local JobLink Career Centersto provide GATE services. Dislocated workers in other rural countiesmay participate through a "virtual site" that includes counseling bytelephone and online training programs combined with training andbusiness counseling at local community colleges.

"I hope Project GATEwill be a good starting point for dislocated workers and they will beable to benefit from the resources they offer," said Rep. GarlandPierce.

Interested individuals should visit their local JobLink CareerCenter, which will help detenftine eligibility. Applications will beavailable at the JobLink office and online at www.ncprojectgate.org.Additional information may be obtained online or by phone toll-free at 1-877-9NC-GATE.

SOURCE: NEWS-JOURNAL