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County tapped for GATE program Posted on 20/9/6/19 SOURCE: DAILY COURIER
By ALLISON FLYNN
Eight different locations in North Carolina, includingRutherford County, have been chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor fora program called Project GATE, Growing America ThroughEntrepreneurship.
The program is being offered as a cooperative ventureof the state Department of Commerce, the N.C. Community CollegeSystem's Small-Business Center Network, the Employment SecurityCommission of North Carolina, North Carolina REAL Enterprises, localJobLink Career Centers and the Rural Center.
GATE targets dislocated workers from rural counties for a variety ofassistance directly related to starting and running a business. Theprogram will operate as a scholarship program, with up to 750scholarships likely to be awarded in North Carolina. Selectedindividuals will be eligible for individual assessment ofentrepreneurial skills, business and entrepreneurship courses andfocused one-on-one business counseling.
In Rutherford County, whereunemployment is 16.1 percent, 26 people have applied and 15 havealready been accepted and received scholarships, said Ted Hamrick, GATECounselor at Isothermal Community College.
"Those who are accepted getfour free courses in starting their own business," Hamrick said. Thosein the program also still receive their unemployment benefits and insome cases, may be able to waive the job search portion of receivingthe benefits since they are actively trying to start their own.
Participants also will be introduced to a statewide network of businessresource professionals. Those who complete workable business plans willbe eligible to apply for micro-enterprise loans. The program, however,will not award grants to individuals or businesses.
"This program hasthe potential to do far more than provide a source of income forindividuals who have lost jobs," said Billy Ray Hall, president of theN.C. Rural Economic Development Center. Starting your own business canbe scary, especially during tough economic times. Hamrick said now,though, is a good time to open a business.
"There's more assistancefrom the government now more than ever," he said. "Every recessionwe've ever had small business has been on the forefront of pulling usout."
Hamrick has owned four small businesses over the years and saidpart of the key to success is coming up with a good idea. "We've hadpeople come in who want to own their own business, but don't know whatthey want to do. We try to assist them with finding a business to fitour economy and needs in Rutherford County," he said. Others, he said,have very unique business ideas like a skate park, wine distributioncenter and an eco-friendly campground.
GATE is a three-year program,and if it's successful, Hamrick said, it could be done nationwide.People can participate in the program even if it's located in theirarea through a "virtual site" that includes counseling by telephone andonline training programs combined with training and business counselingat local community colleges. Interested individuals should visit theirlocal JobLink Career Center, which will help determine eligibility.
GATE is the second program designed to help jump start the economy andhelp those without jobs find new ones that Isothermal has offered. InApril, the college announced JobsNOW, a program thatwill offer training in 12 occupational areas that could be completed inless than six months. "As we continue to develop the JobsNOW plan, andas that unfolds, it could be a definite opportunity for side-by-sidetraining," said Isothermal's Director of Marketing and Public RelationsMike Gavin.
Applications will be available at the JobLink office andonline at www.ncprojectgate.org. Additional information may be obtainedby calling Hamrick at 286-3636, ext. 203.
SOURCE: DAILY COURIER
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