By ALLISON FLYNN
Eight different locations in North Carolina, including Rutherford County, have been chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor for a program called Project GATE, Growing America Through Entrepreneurship.
The program is being offered as a cooperative venture of the state Department of Commerce, the N.C. Community College System's Small-Business Center Network, the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, North Carolina REAL Enterprises, local JobLink Career Centers and the Rural Center.
GATE targets dislocated workers from rural counties for a variety of assistance directly related to starting and running a business. The program will operate as a scholarship program, with up to 750 scholarships likely to be awarded in North Carolina. Selected individuals will be eligible for individual assessment of entrepreneurial skills, business and entrepreneurship courses and focused one-on-one business counseling.
In Rutherford County, where unemployment is 16.1 percent, 26 people have applied and 15 have already been accepted and received scholarships, said Ted Hamrick, GATE Counselor at Isothermal Community College.
"Those who are accepted get four free courses in starting their own business," Hamrick said. Those in the program also still receive their unemployment benefits and in some cases, may be able to waive the job search portion of receiving the benefits since they are actively trying to start their own.
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 micro-enterprise loans. The program, however, will not award grants to individuals or businesses.
"This program has the potential to do far more than provide a source of income for individuals who have lost jobs," said Billy Ray Hall, president of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center. Starting your own business can be scary, especially during tough economic times. Hamrick said now, though, is a good time to open a business.
"There's more assistance from the government now more than ever," he said. "Every recession we've ever had small business has been on the forefront of pulling us out."
Hamrick has owned four small businesses over the years and said part of the key to success is coming up with a good idea. "We've had people come in who want to own their own business, but don't know what they want to do. We try to assist them with finding a business to fit our economy and needs in Rutherford County," he said. Others, he said, have very unique business ideas like a skate park, wine distribution center 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 their area through a "virtual site" that includes counseling by telephone and online training programs combined with training and business counseling at local community colleges. Interested individuals should visit their local JobLink Career Center, which will help determine eligibility.
GATE is the second program designed to help jump start the economy and help those without jobs find new ones that Isothermal has offered. In April, the college announced JobsNOW, a program that will offer training in 12 occupational areas that could be completed in less than six months. "As we continue to develop the JobsNOW plan, and as that unfolds, it could be a definite opportunity for side-by-side training," said Isothermal's Director of Marketing and Public Relations Mike Gavin.
Applications will be available at the JobLink office and online at www.ncprojectgate.org. Additional information may be obtained by calling Hamrick at 286-3636, ext. 203.
SOURCE: DAILY COURIER