SANFORD - Twenty-five students trained. Four Downtown Sanford storefronts filled. One business expansion. And, perhaps most impressive, 11 new jobs added.
Those facts show the impact of the Real Investment in Sanford Entrepreneurs program, more commonly known by the acronym RISE -- an eight-class program designed to help entrepreneurs launch local businesses. Participants learn concepts, practices and tools to increase their chances for success in the competitive commercial environment.
The program has earned praise from its participants, including:
Terri Brown, Central Carolina Community College Small Business Center Director in Lee County, said she is thrilled with the success experienced by so many of the RISE students who worked so hard to achieve their business goals, even during a pandemic. "While RISE was launched during a difficult and challenging time, the program has had a fantastic start and I look forward to working with the next class of students and with our partners, the Sanford Area Growth Alliance - Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Sanford, Inc.," said Brown.
Applications are open until Jan. 29 for the next RISE class, which will run from March 3-May 5. All attendees must apply online. Classes are free, but participants must be pre-registered and approved to be guaranteed a space. Class size is limited to 12 individuals. Learn more at www.leesbc.com/rise.
RISE is presented by the Central Carolina Community College Small Business Center, Downtown Sanford Inc. and Sanford Area Growth Alliance Chamber of Commerce -- with financial support from the NC IDEA Foundation, a private organization supporting business innovation and economic advancement across the state.
For more information on the RISE program, visit the website www.leesbc.com/rise.