Entrepreneurship Initiative Approved Projects: Alabama
PROJECT: Aquaculture Education and Development Center Expansion
GRANTEE: Gadsden State Community College
Purpose: To construct an aquaculture facility.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$100,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$50,000 |
| Local: |
$50,000 |
| Total: |
$200,000 |
Description: Applicant proposes to construct a facility approximately 70 feet by 65 feet in size to accommodate three 10,000-gallon raceways, or tanks, and other related structures. Tilapia and other aquatic species, including freshwater shrimp, crayfish, and mussels, will be matured over the winter months and transferred to farmer's ponds during the month of April. By October, the fish will have grown to an optimal, marketable size for sale locally. Tilapia is a tropical fish that requires a minimum water temperature of 60 degrees for survival. This is typically available in central Alabama during the month of April. Genetically Male Tilapia (GMT) is the preferred fish for the project because they have shown consistently superior growth rates when compared to other varieties and species. The applicant also desires to use the facility for greenwater culture systems and hydroponic and aquaponic wastewater remediation systems. Outcomes are to be measured within three years of completion of construction. Projected outcomes include the creation of five new businesses and the creation of 15 new jobs. Additionally, the grantee will serve 25 businesses.
PROJECT: ASBDC Entrepreneurial Development Training
GRANTEE: Alabama Small Business Development Consortium (ASBDC)
Purpose: To provide in-depth entrepreneurial training to small business owners in Appalachian Alabama.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$39,723 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$67,864 |
| Total: |
$107,587 |
Description: The 12-week NxLevel entrepreneurship training course was selected by the grantee, which partnered with eight Chambers of Commerce and three Business Incubators to present the program at six sites including: Muscle Shoals, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Jacksonville, and Etowah County. Master and local instructors were trained in the curriculum, and 117 employers completed the program. The graduates reported creating or retaining 13 jobs.
PROJECT: ASBDC Entrepreneurial Development Training, Phase II
GRANTEE: Alabama Small Business Development Consortium (ASBDC)
Purpose: To evaluate the business assistance needs of minority and women small business owners in the target region.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$22,500 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$15,679 |
| Total: |
$38,179 |
Description: During the grant period, the grantee conducted an evaluation of the business needs of women-owned and minority-owned small businesses. A mail survey was undertaken and four focus groups were held with the targeted populations. The grantee concluded that the responses to the surveys were similar between the target groups. However, the data did reveal significant differences in the preferred communications channels of the target groups. The grantee will issue a report presenting these findings to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Development and to SBDCs state-wide.
PROJECT: ASBDC Small Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program
GRANTEE: Alabama Small Business Development Consortium (ASBDC)
Purpose: To provide counseling and training assistance to small minority businesses, in the ARC region of Alabama, that wish to qualify for certification under the Small Business Administration's SDB Program.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$80,660 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$20,204 |
| Total: |
$100,864 |
Description: The grantee will provides a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification Assistance Program targeted to the specific needs of individual companies. The grantee presented 20 workshops during the contract period with a total attendance of 184 persons. The grantee also conducted 111 one-on-one counseling sessions after the workshop presentations. Five companies submitted applications for Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Certification through a Private Certifier. Additionally, 50 companies applied directly to the U.S. Small Business Administration for SDB Certification as a result of the training received at the workshops. The expected impact of this project over the next five years is $9.4 million of government contract awards and 221 jobs created or retained. Completed outcomes include the involvement of 345 participants.
PROJECT: Bessemer Business Library
GRANTEE: Bessemer Industrial Development Board
Purpose: To establish a business library.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$9,999 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$12,501 |
| Total: |
$22,500 |
Description: The Bessemer Business Library opened in mid-2002 and is housed in one of the two business incubators in Bessemer, AL. The 17 tenants of the two incubators have used the print resources of the library. The library is also open to 400 Chamber of Commerce members. Collectively, these tenant companies employ 60-80 people, although the majority of the library's users were often owners/managers. The incubators have used the library resources to help four new entrepreneurs. The grantee has plans to establish a fund in the near future to order further books and renew magazine subscriptions. The library is constantly being utilized and has received several complements from Center tenants and from the outside community.
PROJECT: Better Schools Building Better Communities (Better Schools)
GRANTEE: Program for Rural Services and Research (PRSR), University of Alabama
Purpose: To improve education and connect it to sustainable economic development and community life.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$197,179 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$214,620 |
| Local: |
$124,615 |
| Total: |
$536,414 |
Description: The PRSR organizes and coordinates the PACERS Cooperative, a statewide association of rural schools that are demographically representative of Alabama. The five interrelated components of the project will include entrepreneurial education, technology transfer and skill development, student-run enterprises, community collaboration, and information dissemination. The curriculum was developed by REAL Enterprises and will be used in project activities. The program is expected to involve 160 students participating in entrepreneurial education and 240 students in the creation of eight rural businesses. In addition, 400 community participants are expected to be involved with the project.
PROJECT: Better Schools Building Better Communities, Phase II
GRANTEE: Program for Rural Services and Research (PRSR), University of Alabama
Purpose: To continue an entrepreneurship education program.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$169,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$174,688 |
| Local: |
$82,500 |
| Total: |
$426,188 |
Description: This project will continue the entrepreneurship education program, Better Schools Building Better Communities. The phase II program will: pilot new, and expand existing, entrepreneurial education throughout Alabama's Appalachian counties; promote school and community-based enterprise formation supported by technical assistance; and strengthen and create networks and partnerships based upon the existing PRSR work. Better Schools has the ongoing support of several school districts and development organizations in the region including the West Alabama Regional Skills Consortium. Projected outcomes include the creation of eight new businesses and eight new jobs. About 200 persons are expected to participate in these activities.
PROJECT: Emerald Triangle Economic Development Program
GRANTEE: Emerald Triangle Commission
Purpose: To create the initial components of a tri-county economic development program, which supports regional economic planning, job, and promotional efforts.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$11,207 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$2,801 |
| Total: |
$14,008 |
Description: Grantee is a not-for-profit located in east-central Alabama, created by the State Legislature in 1993 for economic development of a three-county region. This project attempted to tackle the problem of a lack of suitable high-wage employment opportunities in the region. The grantee notes the completion of several objectives, including leadership training for various county representatives. Other successes from the project included "Bed and Breakfast training," offered to current and potential B&B operators from both outside and inside the region.
PROJECT: Hale County Technology Center Springboard Award
GRANTEE: Hale County Technology Center
Purpose: To recognize outstanding youth entrepreneurship education programs.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$2,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$0 |
| Total: |
$2,000 |
Description: The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, developed the Appalachian Youth Entrepreneurship Education "springboard" Awards competition to recognize outstanding youth entrepreneurship education programs. Youth education programs—targeted to rural areas—often serve as a "springboard" for Appalachian residents to launch their own businesses, create jobs in their communities, and further diversify and strengthen the Region's economy. Six awards were provided to the best youth entrepreneurship education programs in Appalachia. Finalists have been recommended by an independent review panel and were selected by ARC to each receive a $2,000 grant award. The grant awards will enable the winning teachers to support continued work in youth entrepreneurship, and the school or parent organization receive a commemorative plaque. A teacher and a selected student from each finalist received these awards in Washington, DC, at the March 17, 2003 Annual Meeting of the Development Districts Association of Appalachia.
PROJECT: Master Entrepreneur Program
GRANTEE: Auburn University
Purpose: To assist entrepreneurs in starting a successful business based on sound business principles that will enable them to remain in business.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$10,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$9,176 |
| Local: |
$2,880 |
| Total: |
$22,056 |
Description: The program is expected to be used as a model and expanded to serve east-central Alabama in the future. This initial project is expected to serve 50 students and trainees. The design of the Master Entrepreneur program is based on the very popular Master Gardener program, whereby alumni are encouraged to return and assist with community efforts. Program participants will gain a working knowledge of sound business practices, thus enabling them a "leg up" in their quest to operate their own businesses. Projected outcomes include the involvement of 50 trainees and the creation of three new businesses and three new jobs.
PROJECT: Mentoring Entrepreneurial Network for Women
GRANTEE: Auburn University-Montgomery
Purpose: Funding will establish the Appalachian Alabama Mentoring Entrepreneurial Network (AMEN), which will facilitate "welfare to entrepreneurial work" for at least 15 women from the three distressed counties of Hale, Macon, and Pickens.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$142,370 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$35,500 |
| Total: |
$177,870 |
Description: The AMEN Project is a mentoring project designed to assist women moving from welfare to work to become successful entrepreneurs. This will be accomplished by establishing a group of three Core Mentors who can serve as role models for the women, and who themselves are successful owners/operators of small businesses. The project will be administered by Auburn University-Montgomery in collaboration with the members of the core team.
At least 15 "welfare to work" women from the three distressed counties who are interested in entrepreneurial development will be identified for inclusion in this project through the Departments of Human Resources. These women will be partnered with 15 successful women from Appalachian Alabama and will meet "one-on-one" to address issues such as entrepreneurial development, child care options, social and professional etiquette, transportation, housing, money management, parenting, etc. This "one-on-one" mentoring will occur as needed by the women, and the group will come together once monthly for training and follow-up.
PROJECT: Minority Business Network for Appalachian Alabama
GRANTEE: South Regions Minority Business Council
Purpose: To provide access, training, technical assistance, and information to minority entrepreneurs in Appalachian Alabama.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$46,360 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$15,459 |
| Total: |
$61,819 |
Description: This project provided technical assistance and information to certify additional minority-owned businesses, providing increased contracts from federal, state, and private customers to these business owners. Additionally, two seminars for minority businesses focusing on business plan development, strategic planning, marketing, and contracting were held in the region. The Southern Regions Minority Council already has a network of over 70 corporate members/purchasers and has ties to a national network of 3,500 members. About 100 business owners attended minority business certification workshops at four locations, and 18 businesses became certified minority businesses as a result of project activities. These businesses were included in national and regional databases of certified minority-owned businesses.
PROJECT: Minority Business Network for Appalachian Alabama, Phase II
GRANTEE: South Regions Minority Business Council
Purpose: To provide entrepreneurial training and economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$40,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$12,000 |
| Total: |
$52,000 |
Description: The grantee will provide entrepreneurial training and economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses in the target region through networking and contacts with major corporations. The grantee will: 1) certify at least 25 additional minority suppliers in the region, and; 2) facilitate the acquisition of at least $5 million in additional sales to minority-owned businesses from large businesses. ARC funds will be used to provide staff and consultative support and will cover costs of travel and supplies. The grantee projects that 125 new jobs will result from these activities.
PROJECT: NABIS Microenterprise Business Development
GRANTEE: Northeast Alabama Business Incubator System (NABIS)
Purpose: To offer business development assistance to microenterprise operations in coordination with a microloan program.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$9,874 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$9,874 |
| Total: |
$19,748 |
Description: This project, based in Calhoun County, offers business development assistance to microenterprise operations in coordination with a microloan program run by the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC). The grantee facilitated microloan and microbusiness training for two staff, Donna Fathke (Microloan Fund Manager) and Jennifer Williamon (Business Development Manager). The Business Development Manager provided assistance to an applicant tenant company, prepared an information booklet about the program and distributed it to the tenants of the Entrepreneurial Center, and provided ongoing assistant to a microloan recipient. Completed outcomes included the expansion of one company that purchased capital equipment while supporting one existing job and creating two new full-time jobs.
PROJECT: NABIS Youth Entrepreneurship Training in Calhoun County Schools
GRANTEE: Northeast Alabama Business Incubator System, Inc. (NABIS)
Purpose: To address the lack of job force readiness in basic skills and knowledge, raise awareness that self-employment can be a viable career option, and ultimately provide youth with the knowledge of how to start a business.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$9,881 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$9,881 |
| Total: |
$19,762 |
Description: NABIS coordinated a two-day training in July 2000 of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) FUNDAMENTALS curriculum in Anniston, Alabama, for area teachers. After completing the training, the teachers ordered additional supplies of the curriculum for their students. NABIS requested that teachers administer a pre-test and a post-test—both developed by NFTE—to the students. Completed outcomes included nine teachers trained and 143 students trained. Of the students who were available for comparison, the weighted average score improvement was 4.3 points. The grantee was only able to train nine of the 18 teachers projected initially due largely to scheduling conflicts. As a result, fewer students than anticipated received training. This program has received funding to continue for another two years from the State of Alabama through Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
PROJECT: Setting the Standards Entrepeneurial Program
GRANTEE: University of Alabama
Purpose: To expand youth entrepreneurship.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$145,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$184,930 |
| Local: |
$26,842 |
| Total: |
$356,772 |
Description: The grantee will undertake activities to expand youth entrepreneurship offerings through the existing PACERS program. Three activities will be supported: 1) establish and document three rural best practice school-based-enterprise (SBE) programs; 2) conduct and publish research on the results of entrepreneurship education in 23 communities in which the PACERS program operates; and 3) assist existing school-based-enterprises to develop plans to become certified by PACERS. ARC support will be used to cover personnel costs, travel, and contractor costs associated with these activities. About 20 teachers and 200 students are expected to participate in the preparation and documentation of the three best practice models. A total of 23 teachers will participate in the research program, and 18 schools will participate in the certification program.
PROJECT: Shoals Commercial Culinary Center (SCCC) Expansion
GRANTEE: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
Purpose: To expand the capacity of the Culinary Center.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$78,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$51,035 |
| Total: |
$129,035 |
Description: Applicant proposes to purchase additional equipment to expand the capacity of the Culinary Center. In addition to equipment, other ARC funds will be used for operations, minor remodeling, and for contracted services such as janitorial and equipment cleaning and maintenance. Remodeling will consist of the application of a special paint to the ceiling and modifications to the lighting. Equipment purchases include two large choppers, stainless steel tables, and a commercial dishwasher. The operations budget for the ARC project includes the SCCC director's salary, a portion of the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center director's salary, a bookkeeper's salary, and some miscellaneous overhead. Jobs/businesses created should be measured after three years of full operation. Projected outcomes include the creation of 30 new businesses and the creation of 30 new jobs.
PROJECT: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center Kitchen Incubator
GRANTEE: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center (SEC)
Purpose: To renovate a facility and provide equipment, technical assistance, and training for small entrepreneurs to produce food products and to provide for the training of food-product workers.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$98,730 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$240,176 |
| Total: |
$338,906 |
Description: This program provides a kitchen facility and support services for food product entrepreneurs. A diverse range of food products are produced in the kitchen for off-premises consumption. These items are produced by specialty-food producers, caterers, cart vendors, and assorted occasional users. Training and assistance are provided for pricing, marketing, bookkeeping, and distribution, as well as for needs unique to the food business.
The Shoals Commercial Culinary Center (SCCC) had its grand opening in September 2001 and has received favorable media attention for itself and its clients ever since. Two clients now have their products in four states, and all clients have added local retail vendors. The SCCC continues to train and assist clients through various workshops and seminars. To date, 22 workshops/seminars have been conducted on 18 topics, with at least 550 total people in attendance. The Health Department has agreed to host six additional training classes during 2002 for potential clients. Completed outcomes include the creation of 14 new businesses and 30 new jobs.
PROJECT: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center Training Program
GRANTEE: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
Purpose: To implement a multi-faceted entrepreneurial development effort, including creating a training curriculum and providing workshops for youth.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$48,000 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$12,000 |
| Total: |
$60,000 |
Description: The Shoals Entrepreneurial Center (SEC) has three major activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurship in northwest Alabama. The first of these activities, which is focused on the education of potential entrepreneurs, is a training curriculum and workbook, introducing future entrepreneurs to the basics of business practices. The SEC also has a second entrepreneurial activity, which focuses on young people and will include several workshops and an entrepreneurship conference. This is a targeted effort to create awareness among Appalachian youth of entrepreneurship as a viable alternative to working for someone else. Finally, a "Small Business Start-up Packet" is available for distribution to potential entrepreneurs.
Completed outcomes for the grant period include a Youth Entrepreneurship Conference involving 35 area schools and attracting more then 120 students. Additionally, a small business start-up packet was produced, building off of existing materials from Small Business Development Centers, Chambers, IRS, etc. The SBDC network, local colleges, and other entities distributed 1,300 copies of the packet.
PROJECT: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center Training Program, Phase II
GRANTEE: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
Purpose: To make the people of Northwest Alabama aware of the viability of entrepreneurship as a career option.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$18,240 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$4,560 |
| Total: |
$22,800 |
Description: In 1998, nearly 160 high school juniors and teachers participated in an entrepreneurship workshop, with many students undertaking entrepreneurship projects throughout the school year. These same students returned as seniors ready to do follow-up training in entrepreneurship, and the grantee held a second conference focusing on entrepreneurship training, attended by 110 students. The University of North Alabama prepared an analysis of the surveys completed by 56 students during this April 2000 conference, and the information was mailed to each superintendent and president (private high schools) in the five-county area. The University of North Alabama's School of Business began hosting the entrepreneurship conference annually. In addition, the REAL/PACERS program was implemented at Waterloo High School.
PROJECT: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center Training Program, Phase III
GRANTEE: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
Purpose: To supplement and strengthen previous efforts to develop and sustain knowledge of, and support for, entrepreneurship.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$23,050 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$11,900 |
| Total: |
$34,950 |
Description: The SEC, in conjunction with the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), planned to develop a quarterly newsletter to provide information on educational training, funding opportunities, government regulations, and other areas of concern to small businesses. The newsletter was distributed in July 2001, February 2002, and May 2002, with an average circulation of 2,713 businesses. The publication also will be available on the SBDC's Web site. However, due to personnel shortages, distribution of the newsletter may be moved to a semi-annual basis, rather than quarterly. The SEC also received airtime on Northwest-Shoals Community College's (NWSCC) local cable channel in order to air two video series on entrepreneurship. This channel reaches over 32,000 homes providing viewing opportunities to 90,000 to 100,000 individuals at any one time.
NWSCC aired the Entrepreneurial series 30 times during the broadcast license period. The SEC will continue to make the tapes available to prospective and existing clients. Since January 2001 the SEC, SBDC, and Tri-County Health Departments co-sponsored 22 seminars/workshops dealing with all aspects of entrepreneurial training. Clients and prospective clients can view video copies of all training seminars/workshops at any of the Entrepreneurial Centers. Additionally, the SEC audio visual library has been enhanced with additional computer equipment and software to aide in client training, brochure production, and grant work.
PROJECT: Shoals Entrepreneur Training/Marketing Assistance for Micro-Business
GRANTEE: Shoals Entrepreneurial Center (SEC)
Purpose: To provide training for small entrepreneurs in food safety and marketing.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$19,850 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$14,650 |
| Total: |
$34,500 |
Description: This program trains food product workers in food preparation issues, particularly food safety. The project utilizes an existing shared commercial kitchen located at the Burrell Slater Community Education facility in Florence, Alabama. The Alabama State Extension Service at Auburn University, the Northwest Alabama Regional Health Department, and SEC develop and deliver training courses at the facility covering food safety, hazard analysis, starting a food business, and bringing a product to market.
The Shoals Commercial Culinary Center (SCCC) had its grand opening on September 25, 2001 and has received favorable media attention for itself and its clients ever since. Two clients now have their products in four states, and all clients have added local retail vendors. The SCCC continues to train and assist clients through various workshops and seminars. To date, 22 workshops/seminars have been conducted on 18 topics, with at least 550 total people in attendance. The Health Department has agreed to host six additional training classes during 2002 for potential clients. Completed outcomes include the creation of 14 new businesses and 30 new jobs.
PROJECT: Taking the Initiative (TI)
GRANTEE: Program for Rural Services and Research (PRSR), University of Alabama
Purpose: To prepare Appalachian schools to provide their students entrepreneurial education opportunities and competitive skills, and to connect schools to communities and agencies through programs that support local development.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$178,170 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$352,360 |
| Total: |
$530,530 |
Description: The four interrelated activities of this program are: Entrepreneurial Education, Business Opportunity and Development, Gaining 21st Century Skills, and Community Economic Information. Through these activities teachers will be trained and/or supported to provide entrepreneurial instruction. School-based enterprises will be initiated and strengthened through workshops, venture capital, and technical support; entrepreneurial action resources (Web site, workbook, online course) will be developed; and a plan will be prepared for: (1) model student credit union and (2) thrift and investment education program. Program support will be provided by PRSR, PACERS Cooperative, REAL Enterprises, Freshwater Institute, and nationally recognized consultants. This program is expected to train at least eight teachers and 100 students and to support the creation of eight new school-based enterprises.
PROJECT: Tennessee Valley Institute for Entrepreneurship Education
GRANTEE: University of North Alabama
Purpose: The purpose of the project is to provide students and other interested parties with an educational program that increases their knowledge of entrepreneurship and ultimately increases entrepreneurship in the region.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$190,923 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$152,493 |
| Total: |
$343,416 |
Description: The Tennessee Valley Institute for Entrepreneurship Education focuses on both improving entrepreneurship knowledge and awareness and increasing the number of entrepreneurial ventures. During the grant period, the grantee: 1) helped develop a new major for undergraduate students at the University of North Alabama (UNA); 2) secured the approval of an MBA concentration focusing on corporate entrepreneurship, delivered via distance learning technology; 3) hosted and funded two "Youth Entrepreneurship Conferences" involving 236 area high school students; and 4) promoted entrepreneurship opportunity, economic growth, and job creation in conjunction with leading state and community partners. This project also resulted in the creation of two new businesses and six new jobs.
PROJECT: Youth Entrepreneurial Community Development Institute
GRANTEE: Auburn University Economic Development Institute
Purpose: To infuse youth entrepreneurship curricula and teacher training into the high school education program.
Funding:
| ARC: |
$98,399 |
| Other Federal: |
$0 |
| State: |
$0 |
| Local: |
$55,566 |
| Total: |
$153,965 |
Description: The goal of the YECD initiative was to establish a self-sustaining entrepreneurial community by training high school students to become tomorrow's entrepreneurs. The YECD program utilized the REAL program. Through the REAL program, facilitators in the four participating high schools were provided with training, in-service, and technical assistance. Entrepreneurship curricula was integrated into the secondary programs in each of the four schools. The students in each class established and managed their own business. School-based businesses at the four schools included stores selling school supplies, a gift shop, and a print shop. The YECD project helped to create enthusiasm for student learning and provide training and skills that help young people prepare for future employment.
A total of 214 students participated in the YECD program at the four schools. All student businesses operated at a profit ranging from $200 to $1,700. However, recruitment and retention of volunteers was a bigger challenge than had been anticipated. Also, gaining the enthusiastic support of education administrators was a big challenge. And external forces have hampered the complete success of the initiative. For example, of the four teachers who facilitated the YECD program in their schools, two are no longer teaching there. One thing that the grantee recommends from its experience is giving teachers/facilitators more information prior to training in order to mentally prepare them for the time and commitment needed to make the class and the business enterprise successful.
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