The economy of the United States is largely supported by the revenue raised through the operations of small businesses. Statistics from the Small Business Administration reflect that small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms and employ just over half of all private sector employees. Additionally, small businesses pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll, have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years and hire 40 percent of high tech workers such as scientists, engineers and computer programmers.

For this reason the government in America tends not to overlook the input that these ventures have on the growth and sustainability of the economy and instead give support to entrepreneurs, so that they grow even more.

RCC is one of the eight community colleges in the state that receives funds from the Growing America Through Entrepreneurship program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to assist dislocated workers approach self-employment as an alternative career path to finding a job.

Robert “Bob” McKee serves as Coordinator for RCC’s GATE project. A Lumberton native who has worked in the private sector for many years, McKee has a strong understanding of entrepreneurship and the essential training required to start a small business.

“The GATE program is a much needed asset to our community,” says McKee. “There is a lot of potential entrepreneurial spirit in our area and this program will help identify some of those individuals. One of the first exercises in our training program is to identify unfilled community needs and determine if the would-be–entrepreneur can meet any of those needs by starting a business. The exercise provides the client with a better understanding of business planning and consumer demand.”

The GATE program offers a variety of services to eligible clients. Participants receive individual assessment of entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurship training and counseling which includes access to the entire state’s active networks of information for small business and access to a microenterprise loan upon completion of a workable business plan. 

Additionally, clients are eligible for a work-search waiver that will allow that to focus on developing a business plan while receiving their unemployment insurance benefits. RCC’s GATE project has 11 enrolled clients with room for more. To be eligible for the benefits of the program, applicants must be dislocated workers and be eligible for Workforce Investment Act program and be 18 years or older and eligible to work in the U.S.

RCC’s Small Business Center Director, Bob Moore views the program as a means of helping dislocated workers realize that entrepreneurship is an intriguing alternative to a job and they can eventually make more money and have more control over their schedules than as an employee.

“The GATE program is a unique opportunity for individuals who have lost their job and they are thinking about opening and operating their own small business. Working one-on-one with Bob McKee, the individual undergoes an assessment of their existing skills and a determination of their credit worthiness. The individual is then assisted with writing a successful business plan and advised on what seminars and classes to attend to prepare them for entrepreneurship. The individual is also advised on how to improve their credit score and where to seek funding for their venture,” Moore notes.

RCC’s GATE clients will have the opportunity to enroll in the Rural Entrepreneurship Through Action Learning, a unique and nationally recognized program for individuals interested in opening or expanding small business.

“We pride ourselves on being able to work with a client who starts with an idea and ends with a successful and profitable small business. They are with the client throughout the entire 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