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Date Posted: 6/12/2007
AdvantageWest Economic Development Group announced 16 communities have pledged their intent for the new Certified Entrepreneurial Community (CEC) program. Letters of intent from each community qualified as step one in the rigorous five-step certification process. Through the program, communities can expect support and marketing from AdvantageWest, pursuit of infrastructure enhancements for e-Commerce, better access to capital and people (partners, employees and customers), simpler permitting and licensing, and the creation of a peer network through the program.
The pledged communities include; Ashe County, Avery County, Burke County, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian, Haywood County, Macon County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Polk County, Rutherford County, Swain County, Town of Black Mountain, Town of Valdese, Transylvania County, Watauga County, and Yancey County.
The communities of western North Carolina have shown strong support for the program. “One of our top priorities is developing entrepreneurial opportunities for individuals. The CEC program fits directly with this strategy”, wrote Town Manager, Jeff Morse in the Town of Valdese letter of intent. Yancey County Manager, Michele Lawhern shared that, “the commissioners voted unanimously to submit a letter of intent for Yancey County to complete the program. We feel that entrepreneurial development is important to the economy.”
AdvantageWest will provide training through the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship Institute (RUPRI) for leadership teams from each community in late August of ‘07. In addition, AdvantageWest has established a revolving loan fund, The Advantage Opportunity Fund, for qualified entrepreneurs in CEC communities, and is working towards securing funding for last-mile broadband. AdvantageWest will provide technical assistance to help participating communities meet their goals throughout the process. The result will be growing the WNC economy one business at a time.
The Five Steps
Step One — A Community Readiness Certification requires resolutions from elected officials and community organizations outlining their support, the naming of a sponsoring organization that will shepherd the CEC process, proof of an economic development policy that goes beyond the traditional recruitment model, a preliminary inventory of entrepreneurship programs operating in the community, the leadership team that is committed to building and supporting an entrepreneurship program, a statement outlining the community’s willingness to work beyond the community or county borders and collaborate for resources that will nurture entrepreneurs, and a willingness to invest in the CEC program.
Step Two — A Community Assessment Certification entails establishing a baseline of the community’s current support for entrepreneurs, clarification of development goals, mapping the assets the community can marshal to support the development strategy, and a preliminary inventory of the entrepreneurial talent currently living and working in the community.
Step Three — A Community Strategy Certification requires a comprehensive strategy for entrepreneurial growth, including a detailed plan for broadband Internet deployment and a means for entrepreneurs to easily acquire permits and services through “one stop shopping.” It is during this stage of the process that communities will be creating a culture of rich resources for entrepreneurs in western North Carolina.
Step Four — A Community Capacity Certification entails identifying and documenting community resources, and developing a system for these resources to work in tandem and be easily accessible.
Step Five — In the final stage of certification, the Community Evaluation Process, the community will map and document its entrepreneurial talent in detail and identify which ones show the most potential for growing their businesses. Entrepreneurs will be advised of the community resources that are in place to support them, and they will be energized.
About AdvantageWest
AdvantageWest Economic Development Group is a regional organization serving the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina. Programs of AdvantageWest include the Blue Ridge Industrial Council, Blue Ridge Food Ventures LLC, Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council, the WNC Film Commission and MountainSouth USA. Strategic partners of AdvantageWest include the NC Department of Commerce, the Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
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