RCC Small Business Center Announces
Plan to Create Six New Small Businesses

ASHEBORO, N.C.—In recognition of the 40th National Small Business Week, Sept. 15 - 20, Randolph Community College’s Small Business Center is announcing the formation of a series of small business classes designed to create six new businesses in Randolph County over the next three months.

Lee Hudgens, RCC's new business development specialist, will be the instructor for these classes, which use the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) program plus additional material. Students will attend 30 hours of classroom instruction and spend additional time each week with Small Business Center advisors working on their business plan. Hudgens said a maximum of 12 students will be accepted into the course and they will be selected based on the likelihood of successfully completing the course.

“ Applicants must be Randolph County residents and have a realistic business idea they are ready to work on,” said Hudgens. “Sources of loan funding are available, and the students will be expected to commit to presenting a business plan for funding at the end of the course.”

Topics in the course include ground rules, business plan basics, financial concepts, market assessment, legal/regulatory/tax considerations, products and services, market feasibility, operations, financial feasibility, and presentation rehearsals.

The classes will begin the first week in October and may be held during the day or on weekends to maximize availability. Tuition assistance is available for unemployed or displaced workers.

Students may apply for the course by contacting the Small Business Center at (336) 633-0275. The selection process must be completed by the end of September.

The year 2003 is the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are 26 million small business owners in the United States who employ more than half of the country’s work force, create three of every four new jobs, and generate a majority of it s innovations, according to the SBA. As part of National Small Business Week, homebusinessfree.com is offering budding entrepreneurs a chance to win $1,000 in products and services to launch their own business. For the official rules and entry form, log onto www.homebusinessfree.com/sweepstakes.htm.