by Wendy Harrison

FRANKLIN
Paul D. Camp Community College is giving its graduates who aspire to become small-business owners a head start on realizing their dreams. The college recently announced its creation of a new entrepreneurial scholarship that will fund a one-year membership at the Franklin Business Center.

“This is a unique scholarship that allows us the opportunity to help our students even after they leave our college,” said PDCCC President Dr. Dan Lufkin. “They don’t pay membership fees for the first year while benefitting from all the resources available at the FBC.”

The facility houses office space, support staff and programs that nurture young firms and expanding businesses, according to the FBC website.

“We are thrilled with Paul D. Camp Community College’s initiative to spur local entrepreneurship and believe the PDCCC entrepreneurial scholarship will be a tremendous asset to the Franklin Business Center program,” said Amanda Jarratt, president and CEO of Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. “We are looking forward to working with students from PDCCC at the Franklin Business Center and welcome their business ideas, spirit and innovation to the program. The Franklin Business Center is excited to help each of these scholarship winners Start. Grow. Thrive here in our community.”

The criteria is two-fold to become eligible for the award. A student has to complete a certificate or degree requiring at least 16 credit hours for the program in which they are enrolled.

In addition, the student would have to meet the criteria of the Franklin Business Center, which includes the completion of a client application, submission of a business plan and attendance of a meeting with the FBC mentor or Small Business Development Counselor. After satisfying these requirements, the FBC Advisory Board will still need to approve the student’s application and business plan.

“We are excited about this new scholarship,” said Lufkin. “This is just one way we can continue to support our entrepreneurial initiatives while benefitting the entire community.”

The scholarship was first announced in April at PDCCC’s entrepreneurial forum. Two of the scholarships will be awarded per academic year. For more information, contact Dr. Renee Felts at 569-6760 or rfelts@pdc.edu.

WENDY HARRISON is the media specialist for Paul D. Camp Community College. She can be reached at wharrison@pdc.edu.