Investment will help with professional development and business education
The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $25,000 to support training and technical assistance to the Bent County Development Foundation (BCDF).
“USDA Rural Development’s Business Programs can provide the financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth in our rural communities,” said Sallie Clark, USDA Rural Development Colorado State Director. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Colorado in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives,” said Clark.
In rural Colorado, BCDF will use a $25,000 Rural Business Development Grant to provide training and technical assistance for startup and existing businesses in Southeast Colorado. The foundation will create and implement the Southeast Colorado (SECO) Accelerator Program (AP). “Colorado’s rural communities often struggle with challenges that come from a lack of availability for professional development and business education. While we have an immense amount of talent, finding opportunities to bridge this gap is crucial to the survival of our rural businesses,” said Clark.
The accelerator program will feature a 12-week educational series for new and existing businesses. Participants can elect to take the entire course or focus on specific classes to improve their entrepreneurial skills. Additional, one on one technical assistance will be provided upon course completion. “This investment underscores that President Trump feels the same way about rural Colorado and our businesses as I do,” said Clark. One session is currently underway and an additional session will be starting in September. For information on this program contact Sammie George at sammie.george@bentcounty.org.