By : MORNING NEWS
Source : http://www2.scnow.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Thumbs up to Northeastern Technical College, college president Dr. Ron Bartley, and Continuum Performance Systems and its president Brady Turley for a recent initiative designed to encourage area entrepreneurs. The NETC Entrepreneurship Development Fund is accepting applications from NETC students and alumni for seed money grants, as well as hands-on guidance from business and marketing experts to help them achieve success and create jobs with their business ideas.
“We have many hardworking, intelligent people here who, if given the opportunity and guidance, could become successful small business owners,” Turley said. “Small businesses have the staying power to grow our communities and create rewarding jobs.”
Continuum established the NETC Entrepreneurship Development Fund when Turley wanted to “give back” a $25,000 grant he received from the State Department of Commerce to assist in the establishment of the Cheraw branch of his software company. He partnered with Northeastern Technical College to establish the NETC Entrepreneurship Development Fund to set the foundation for future entrepreneurs and business growth in Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon counties.
Turley, who is from Killingworth, Conn., said he was grateful for the willingness of county and state leaders to work together to bring his business to the community, when he began expanding it in Cheraw several years ago.
Continuum Performance Systems Inc. is a Connecticut-based software company that provides software to health insurance companies. Continuum opened a new programming office in Cheraw in 2010,
“Northeastern Technical College, the county and the state went above and beyond for Continuum, and it was very much appreciated – not just by me, but also by the people whose lives were changed by the jobs created here at Continuum,” said Turley. “The Entrepreneurship Development Fund is Continuum’s way of saying thanks and giving back to the community by helping others to build businesses that will create jobs. Continuum hopes to see this grass roots effort grow into many opportunities for creating better lives and meaningful jobs.”
The grant is open to students enrolled at NETC and to NETC alumni. An application can be completed and submitted online by going to NETC’s website: www.netc.edu. Applications are being accepted through June 15. Applicants are also required to submit an executive summary describing their business. A sample executive summary is available on the application website.
The NETC Entrepreneurship Development Board has been created to screen applications and select finalists who will be invited to present their ideas and business plans to the board. The board will use information gathered during the presentations to select the grant award recipients.
Continuum has pledged an additional $25,000 to match other donations to assist in the growth of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund for annual award opportunities.
“This is just the beginning of many success stories,” NETC’s Bartley said. “I am issuing a challenge to other local businesses, groups and organizations to contribute to the grant fund and share in Continuum’s vision for creating successful entrepreneurs and increasing jobs in Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon counties.”
Thumbs up to Lee Freeman, owner of Florence’s Print Image Solutions. Freeman was named the 2012 Small Business Person of the Year by the Florence Chamber of Commerce at its recent Outlook Luncheon. Freeman is a native of Darlington and a graduate of St. John’s High School and Chowan University in North Carolina, where he was honored as the Most Outstanding graduate in Printing Technology. He has 30 years experience in the printing and marketing industry. Professionally, Freeman has served on several boards, including president of the Carolinas Chapter of NAQP. He is also currently serving on the board of the Florence Men’s Choral Society and Billie Hardee Home for Boys as Chairman. And, he has served on the board of the Florence Rotary and currently an active member of that club.
Source : http://www2.scnow.com/news/2012/mar/24/thumbs-netc-partners-continuum-give-back-ar-3467026/
