Center to hold classes on understanding, mobilizing community assets

Center to hold classes on understanding, mobilizing community assets

Training in Yemassee, Barnwell to offer tools to local governments, organizations

 

MAY 24, 2017  |  The Center for a Better South will offer two one-day classes by a nationally-acclaimed trainer next month in the S.C. Promise Zone to help neighborhood, nonprofit and local government leaders understand community assets and mobilize them to their advantage. 

“Understanding and Mobilizing Community Assets” will be held June 20 in Yemassee and June 21 in Barnwell.  The trainer is Ron Dwyer-Voss, founder of Pacific Community Solutions in Sacramento, Calif., through an arrangement with the nationally-acclaimed and congressionally-chartered NeighborWorks America, a nonprofit that helps build skills at the grassroots level. 

“Each all-day class will guide people to strengthen their communities from the inside out by providing tools to better understand local assets, build on them and, we hope, generate economic activity,” said Better South President Andy Brack.  “We’re fortunate to have a professional of Ron’s caliber join us in the Promise Zone to share his knowledge on how communities can use asset-based community development effectively.” 

Each morning session will focus on building on the assets of area communities.   Afternoon sessions will outline how to develop neighborhood assessments to improve communities.  Lunch will be provided to participants at no cost.  Classes are being held in two locations to make the information more accessible to area citizens. 

Yemassee session:  9 a.m., June 20.  Location:  Board room, Lowcountry Council of Governments, 634 Campground Road, Yemassee, S.C. 29945.  The class is open to 35 participants.  (Note:  This location is near the Point South interchange on Interstate 95.  It may be more convenient for people from Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.)   

Barnwell session:  9 a.m., June 21.  Location:  Edisto Room, SouthernCarolina Alliance, 1750 Jackson Ave., Barnwell, S.C.  The class is open to 35 participants.  Parking is behind the SouthernCarolina building at 54 Irving St.  (This location may be more convenient for people in Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties

 

 

Interested in attending?

 

There is no cost to attend but to attend, you must register.  Each class is limited to 35 participants.  To register for either class (one session per person only), please go to the link below and follow the instructions for registering.

 

http://www.BetterSouth.org/register 

 

Important information

 

  • Attendance is limited.  Reservations are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  If a class fills up, you will be put on a waiting list in case a spot opens.  If a spot does not open, we will contact you if a new class is offered. 
  • Lunch will be provided.  Participants will receive a lunch at midday. 
  • No show policy.  If you register and can’t come, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make a space available to someone else.  If you reserve a place and don’t attend, you will be billed $20 to reimburse the Center for lunch.  Signing up for the class is a commitment by you to attend for free or pay the lunch fee if you don’t. 
  • Transportation.  You will have to provide your own transportation to a class.  If you need a ride, please let us know so that we can determine whether there are any carpooling opportunities for you. 
  • Questions.  Please send questions by email to:  brack@bettersouth.org.

 

Trainings offered by the Center are provided through a Rural Business Development Grant  awarded in 2016 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

The Center for a Better South was a leading driver of the area’s combined effort to apply for and be successful in winning the federal designation for the region to be a Promise Zone.  You can get updates on the Promise Zone at its website:  http://www.SCPromiseZone.org.

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Entrepreneurial Boot Camp held in Walterboro

Nineteen people from around the Lowcountry participated May 10 in a new Entrepreneurial Boot Camp offered by the Center for a Better South in Walterboro. 

The class, taught by Earl Gregorich of the Columbia office of the S.C. Small Business Development Centers, offered insights to participants in starting small businesses and organizations, including how to deal with paperwork to register a business, finding funding, fundamentals of business plans, sales, marketing and more. 

“Now I can move forward with confidence,” one participant said.  Another added, “I feel ready to apply for my LLC company and actually begin to move forward, versus contemplating how to make it happen. The comfort level of having a support team is liberating to move into action.” 

Also during the class, participants heard about an array of resources, such as business counseling, available through the SBDCs, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“I didn’t realize there were so many resources available for potential business owners,” one participant said. 

Andy Brack, president of the Center for a Better South, said 75 people in the S.C. Promise Zone have been trained since the organization started its training academy in February. “Not only have we provided grant-writing and business training to 75 people, but we have almost 100 on waiting lists, which shows how people throughout the area yearn for information so that they can start growing economic success in the Promise Zone,” he said. 

The Center plans in June to offer training to help communities and neighborhoods use tools of asset based community development to improve their areas.  More information will be shared as sessions are finalized. 

Below are some photos of participants in the May 10 class, held at the Colleton Museum in Walterboro.

 

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Community Facilities Relending Program

South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF) secured funding from the USDA to finance community facilities in SC rural census tracts. Nonprofits and government entities are eligible to apply for financing. Join us for a no cost workshop to learn about SCCLF lending applications and policies and discuss your project with a SCCLF Loan Officer.

WHEN & WHERE:

Thursday, June 1, 2017

1:00 PM- 4:00 PM

Southern Carolina Business Center

1750 Jackson Street, Suite 100

Barnwell, SC 29812

***REGISTER TODAY***

There is no cost to attend this workshop, but registration is required.

www.barnwellloanappworkshop.eventbrite.com

Eligible Projects:

Funds can be used to build, acquire, maintain or renovate facilities including but not limited to:

Healthcare Facilities- hospitals, clinics, nursing homes

Public Facilities- town halls, courthouses, libraries

Community Support- child care centers, community centers, transitional housing

Public Safety Services- fire departments, police stations, public works equipment

Educational Services- museums, colleges, public or private schools

See flyer for more details: Barnwell Loan Application Workshop CFRP

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Mark your calendars…Loan Application Workshop in Barnwell 06/01/2017

Join South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF) for a no

cost loan application workshop and learn how you can secure funding for your community development

project.

WHEN & WHERE:

Thursday, June 1, 2017

1:00 PM- 4:00 PM

Southern Carolina Business Center

1750 Jackson Street, Suite 100

Barnwell, SC 29812

REGISTER TODAY: There is no cost to attend the workshop, but registration is

required.

www.barnwellloanappworkshop.eventbrite.com

 

See flyer for more information. Barnwell Loan Application Workshop

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