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Empowering Inner-City Entrepreneurs Through Targeted Business Support
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) launched its Inpower business support program yesterday, which will help inner-city entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses, SBDC Executive Director Samantha Rolle said yesterday.
“We are proud to formally launch the Inpower project initiative, an initiative designed to support and strengthen micro-entrepreneurs across Bain and Grants Town, Centerville, Englerston, Fox Hill, Freetown, Marathon, Nassau Village and St. Barnabas,” said Rolle.
“These communities are filled with individuals who are hard working, innovative and determined to build a better future for themselves and their families.”
Rolle explained that those who enroll in the program will be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 if they are successful.
She explained that the program will introduce the basics of entrepreneurship and running a business to the participants before moving on to the grant opportunity.
“For many inner-city entrepreneurs, the challenge is not the lack of ideas or ambition,” Rolle said.
Building Sustainable Opportunities for Community-Based Businesses
“It is access access to the right information, access to guidance, access to resources to formalize and grow their businesses. That is why Inpower focuses first on fundamentals. So, participants will receive practical business training. They will receive mentorship. And they will receive step by step guidance through licensing and compliance with our centralized fix-your-business drive. The goal is simple, to help entrepreneurs build their businesses on a strong and sustainable foundation for participants who successfully complete the program milestones.”
She explained that the program is operating in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Authority, the Department of Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture; and Aliv Business.
Rolle said the $5,000 grant award will help businesses to support brand development, grow equipment, inventory and carry out other critical business needs.
“It is important to emphasize that the grant is not the starting point. The foundation comes first,” she said.
“Structure, participation and commitment, that’s what we’re asking each participant, each applicant, to do. The funding is a reward for engagement and accountability.”
