SOURCE: RICHMOND COUNTY DAILY JOURNAL

If you are among the many dislocated workers in the county, Kathryn McEntire with Project GATE may be able to help you find an alternative career path as a business owner. 

"GATE stands for Growing America Through Entrepreneurship. It is a cooperative venture between several agencies to offer individuals assistance in starting a business," McEntire said. "Persons selected can continue receiving unemployment benefits while attending Richmond Community College's Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning Program to develop a business plan and determine whether their ideas are viable. The scholarship component covers tuition for the REAL program and for vocational and business courses related to their business plans." 

Participants with workable business plans can apply to the N.C. Rural Center's Microenterprise Loan Program for start-up capital. 

McEntire is located at the Employment Security Commission JobLink Center and counsels individuals about the risks and benefits of starting a business. "It's difficult at first and your income is less until you get established, but it is a wonderful opportunity to become your own boss. It's also a way to stay in the county and build our communities," she said. 

Both McEntire and ESC Manager Judy Carpenter expect the businesses will center around the service, hospitality, or tourism industries. Carpenter said she has not seen a cooperative venture like this in a long time. She hopes the businesses will grow over the years and employee three or fair more people. 

GATE partners are the N.C, Depirtment of Commerce, RCC's Small Bushess Center, the ESC JobLink, and the S.C. Rural Economic Development Center. You can visit McEntire at the ESC officer or call her at 997-9180. 

SOURCE: RICHMOND COUNTY DAILY JOURNAL