[UPDATED] Whitley County Entrepreneurship Project to Receive $100,000

Press Release
March 9, 2009

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman recently announced that the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation has been awarded a $100,000 Rural Capacity Grant by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to fund an entrepreneurial support project.

“Governor Daniels and I are committed to supporting workforce development and rural entrepreneurship projects, which stimulate rural Indiana’s local economies,” Lt. Governor Skillman said. “Even the biggest of businesses start small, and we are committed to doing whatever we can to help Indiana entrepreneurs.”

The grant will fund a business incubator project titled “Accelerate Innovation”. The project will provide a diverse portfolio of resources to local entrepreneurs and new businesses. Accelerate Innovation will provide both one-on-one and group mentoring opportunities, industry-specific expertise, and access to other business development and education resources to clients.

The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the Rural Capacity Grant program, which supports innovative entrepreneurship projects, as well as workforce and educational development projects, in Indiana’s rural communities. Funding for this grant program was allocated by the state in the biennial budget passed in 2007.

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs was created by legislation in 2005, making rural Indiana a major focus for the first time. For additional information on OCRA and its programs visit www.in.gov/ocra.

Source: The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs