SOURCE:
THE ROBESONIANby Lisa O.Hunt
The economy of the United States is largely supported by the revenueraised through the operations of small businesses. Statistics from theSmall Business Administration reflect that small businesses represent99.7 percent of all employer firms and employ just over half of allprivate sector employees. Additionally, small businesses pay 44 percentof total U.S. private payroll, have generated 64 percent of net newjobs over the past 15 years and hire 40 percent of high tech workerssuch as scientists, engineers and computer programmers.
For thisreason the government in America tends not to overlook the input thatthese ventures have on the growth and sustainability of the economy andinstead give support to entrepreneurs, so that they grow even more.
RCCis one of the eight community colleges in the state that receives fundsfrom the Growing America Through Entrepreneurship program funded by theU.S. Department of Labor to assist dislocated workers approachself-employment as an alternative career path to finding a job.
Robert“Bob” McKee serves as Coordinator for RCC’s GATE project. A Lumbertonnative who has worked in the private sector for many years, McKee has astrong understanding of entrepreneurship and the essential trainingrequired to start a small business.
“The GATE program is a muchneeded asset to our community,” says McKee. “There is a lot ofpotential entrepreneurial spirit in our area and this program will helpidentify some of those individuals. One of the first exercises in ourtraining program is to identify unfilled community needs and determineif the would-be–entrepreneur can meet any of those needs by starting abusiness. The exercise provides the client with a better understandingof business planning and consumer demand.”
The GATE programoffers a variety of services to eligible clients. Participants receiveindividual assessment of entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurshiptraining and counseling which includes access to the entire state’sactive networks of information for small business and access to amicroenterprise loan upon completion of a workable business plan.
Additionally,clients are eligible for a work-search waiver that will allow that tofocus on developing a business plan while receiving their unemploymentinsurance benefits. RCC’s GATE project has 11 enrolled clients withroom for more. To be eligible for the benefits of the program,applicants must be dislocated workers and be eligible for WorkforceInvestment Act program and be 18 years or older and eligible to work inthe U.S.
RCC’s Small Business Center Director, Bob Moore viewsthe program as a means of helping dislocated workers realize thatentrepreneurship is an intriguing alternative to a job and they caneventually make more money and have more control over their schedulesthan as an employee.
“The GATE program is a unique opportunityfor individuals who have lost their job and they are thinking aboutopening and operating their own small business. Working one-on-one withBob McKee, the individual undergoes an assessment of their existingskills and a determination of their credit worthiness. The individualis then assisted with writing a successful business plan and advised onwhat seminars and classes to attend to prepare them forentrepreneurship. The individual is also advised on how to improvetheir credit score and where to seek funding for their venture,” Moorenotes.
RCC’s GATE clients will have the opportunity to enroll inthe Rural Entrepreneurship Through Action Learning, a unique andnationally recognized program for individuals interested in opening orexpanding small business.
“We pride ourselves on being able towork with a client who starts with an idea and ends with a successfuland profitable small business. They are with the client throughout theentire walk to assist with overcoming the roadblocks,” Moore add.
To learn more about RCC’s GATE program, call Bob McKee at (910) 272-3700.
— Lisa O.Hunt is Public Information Officer at Robeson Community College. You can reach her at lohunt@robeson.cc.nc.us.
SOURCE:
THE ROBESONIAN