CIC 16 - Week Entrepreneurship Workshop Expands to Culpeper, Orange
By: Orange County Economic Development & Tourism
The Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) will expand its signature program, a 16 - week Entrepreneur Workshop for aspiring and existing business owners, to Culpeper and Orange this autumn. In partnership with the Economic Development Offices of the Town of Culpeper and Orange County, the workshop will launch on August 22, 2023, at the Carver Center in Rapidan, VA, located off of James Madison Highway. Applications open May 1, 2023, and are available online at cicville.org/ culpeper - orange - workshop. “ Community Investment Collaborative ’ s 16 - Week Workshop is a proven driver for building an entrepreneurship ecosystem. It ’ s designed to help entrepreneurs do two things: determine if the business can be viable, and learn the basics of running a business, “ said Paige Read, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, Town of Culpeper. “ We are grateful for the partnership with Orange County Economic Development in bringing this series north to the greater Culpeper - Orange community. I am confident participants who complete the program will be better prepared for an ever - changing business landscape. ” CIC expanded its service area to include Orange, Culpeper, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties in 2020 when it took over as host of the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC). CIC also partnered with The Town of Culpeper and Orange, Culpeper, Madison and Fauquier Counties to manage business grant programs that were funded by the CARES Act to support businesses impacted by COVID - 19. Adding an additional location for the Entrepreneur Workshop implements a portion of the organization ’ s strategic plan to increase program offerings to rural communities in its region, with a focus on under - resourced entrepreneurs. “ We are excited to partner with the Town of Culpeper Economic Development and Tourism Office to bring this enriching opportunity closer to our respective business communities. Historically, attendance by Orange County businesses to this workshop has been low. We are confident that bringing this course closer to home will allow for more accessibility, therefore increasing participation by Orange County business owners and entrepreneurs, ” said Rose Deal, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, Orange County. The autumn 2023 sessions of the Entrepreneur Workshop will take place in Culpeper - Orange and Charlottesville, simultaneously. Each cohort will consist of dedicated team members, workgroup leaders, and session facilitators to assist the entrepreneurs in successfully completing the rigorous program. Interested participants are encouraged to apply online and will be prompted to select a cohort in accordance with where their business will be located and what is most feasible for them to participate weekly. This project was made possible through the support of the Town of Culpeper Economic Development and Tourism Office and Orange County Economic Development, and funded in part by GO Virginia, a state - funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia ’ s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries. Entrepreneur Workshop graduates have the option to be paired with mentors and join Small Business Circles for ongoing support and insight from fellow entrepreneurs, and are also eligible to explore other aspects of CIC, including its Financial Management Program and its microloan program, which offers financing options of up to $50,000 to help them formally launch or expand their businesses. Applications are available May 1 - July 7, 2023. Classes will be held weekly, on Tuesday evenings, at the Carver Center, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., August 22 - December 12, 2023. To apply for the upcoming Entrepreneur Workshop or to learn more about CIC, its programming and available resources, please visit https://cicville.org.
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