SOURCE: TABOR-LORIS TRIBUNE

Laid-off rural workers interested in starting their own business are the focus of a new U.S. Department of Labor demonstration project available now through the JobLink Career Center at Southeastern Community College. 

Project GATE (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship) targets dislocated workers from rural counties for a variety of assistance directly related to starting and running a business. "This program has the potential to do far more than provide a source of income for individuals who have lost jobs," says Billy Ray Hall, president of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. "It can help us build homegrown economies in struggling communities all across the state." 

Unemployment in North Carolina's 85 rural counties hit 12.3 percent in February. Seventeen rural counties had jobless rates of 15 percent or higher. Columbus County's unemployment rate for February was 14.3 percent. 

Rural unemployment can be attributed in large part to continuing layoffs and closings by textile, furniture and other traditional manufacturers, Hall says. With other jobs scarce, self-employment may help keep rural workers in their communities. That potential is reflected in the growing numbers of dislocated workers expressing interest in creating their own job or small business. 

Project GATE will operate as a scholarship program, with up to 750 scholarships likely to be awarded in North Carolina. Those selected for the program will be eligible for individual assessment of entrepreneurial skills, business and entrepreneurship courses, and focused, one-on-one business counseling. Participants also will be introduced to a statewide network of business resource professionals. Those who complete workable business plans will be eligible to apply for microenterprise loans. 

In North Carolina, Project GATE is being offered as a cooperative venture of the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Community College System - Small Business Center Network, the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, North Carolina REAL Enterprises, local JobLink Career Centers and the Rural Center. 

Dislocated workers may participate through a "virtual site" that includes counseling by telephone and online training programs combined with training and business counseling at Southeastern Community College. Interested? Visit the Columbus County JobLink Career Center at SCC. Officials there which will help determine eligibility. 

For details contact the Columbus County JobLink Career Center at 910-642-7141, ext. 261 or visit the Center at SCC on Chadbourn Hwy. near Whiteville.