The Institute for Entrepreneurship at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) will offer the award-winning FastTrac® NewVenture™ program to emerging entrepreneurs beginning February 2. Through funding provided by Governor Perdue’s Charlotte Regional Economic and Workforce Recovery Initiative, this program, valued at several hundred dollars, is offered at no cost to North Carolina residents who are unemployed or underemployed and want to pursue business ownership as a career. This program is part of FastTrac® LaunchPad, a joint initiative of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Deluxe Corporation Foundation.
The FastTrac® NewVenture™ program is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help budding entrepreneurs develop a business idea and then plan the critical steps to a successful business launch, including how to identify and reach target markets, plan and man operations, set financial goals, fund the startup and much more. To enhance classroom instruction, participants will hear from successful entrepreneurs, receive coaching from business startup specialists and work in small group planning sessions with fellow entrepreneurs. A workbook and online guides for a business plan and financial worksheets are also included at no cost. At close, participants will present a summary of their business plan for review by peers and coaches. The program will be offered on Tuesdays, February 2 through March 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hall Professional Development Building on CPCC’s Central Campus. To apply for admittance, go to www.fasttrac.org and complete the on-line application. Click on “Program Locator – Get Started” and enter your zip code. Select the Charlotte Region Programs for Displaced Workers then follow the link for Central Piedmont Community College. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 27. For more information, contact Renee Hode, director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship at CPCC, at 704.330.6832. Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering close to 300 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.Charlotte Area News From All Local Sources
