FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County’s next Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) business plan development Zoom (and Classroom, assuming the pandemic doesn’t worsen) -based training will run 6-9pm, Tuesdays for 9-week through Nov. 16. If you are eligible, our Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grant opportunity is also available. This email has information, below and attached, on the benefits of each program and how to sign-up.
To enroll in BBE please reply attaching a completed application and other documentation. The application is a fillable PDF so you don’t need to print and sign it, just type your name and date on the Applicant Signature lines on page 4 and 5, and on page 6 answer questions for your household. All is kept confidential and is required for our state funding. A photo or scan of your driver’s license is required to prove county residency, and if the address isn’t current also provide a photo of your utility bill, lease, voter registration card, or other document showing your name and current residential physical address.
Indicate in your reply if you have an adequate PC/Internet connection needed for Zoom video conferencing, watching video clips, and logging into an online business plan development portal. Your reply should also include your scores after taking a short entrepreneurial self-assessment of your inclinations/capacities for business ownership at the following weblink (https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/entrepreneur-toolkit/business-assessments/pages/self-assessment-test-your-entrepreneurial-potential.aspx). (Note: Don’t give your contact information on the assessment website unless you want to receive solicitation.)
Our business development resources help new and currently struggling micro-entrepreneurs as was noted in a 2020 ECONA e-newsletter (see below).
Our promo video (click here) summarizes why we assist county residents to start, stabilize, and/or expand micro-businesses (five or fewer employees). Our IDA match saving grants help income and asset eligible participants fund either their micro-enterprise or a certificate or degree producing, accredited post-secondary education. Since 2007 hundreds have benefitted from our IDA grant opportunity and/or BBE training, formerly known as Basic Business Empowerment. We now contract BBE facilitation from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) which offers graduates free follow-up business counselling.
Visit www.coconino.az.gov/bbe or call now for more information for our Fall 2021 BBE training, 6-9pm, Tuesdays through November 16th. The class fee is only $125 and includes access to the LivePlan writing template portal. We also offer a need-based 50% BBE training scholarship. The BBE training can completed remotely via Zoom or in-person classroom at the Coconino Community College Flagstaff East Campus (3000 N. Fourth St., 86004), assuming the pandemic doesn’t worsen. Sessions are recorded in case participants miss a class or need to review something. For more information on our IDA match saving grant visit www.coconino.az.gov/ida.