Overview

The project objective is to provide greater and more effective outreach and resources to minority and rural business owners and individuals starting businesses. Main services will be business plan assistance, finding financing, training on bookkeeping, assisting with digital marketing, and with MBE/WBE and other certifications. We will deploy individuals from the underserved communities who have owned or own a small business as business advisors providing counseling and resources. The main communities we will focus on are black, Hispanic, and rural small business owners and those starting businesses. The project is estimated to start in August 2022 with a duration through December 2023. READI funds will be used to pay for consulting services and training materials. Primarily by the Northwest Indiana SBDC utilizing two contract Business Advisors. Training provided by Accounting Made Simple as well as a NWI digital marketing agency to be determined. We will also partner with stakeholders in underserved communities to have space to meet business owners in person. An estimated 200 business owners and start-ups counseled annually. We anticipate being able to show quantitative successes that will help us persuade funding to be provided from economic development organizations, cities, or other entities. We will also look for appropriate grant applications as sources of funds to sustain these efforts.