WALTERBORO, SC – October 22, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture/Rural Development has awarded a $60,000 Rural Business Enterprise grant to the Colleton Improvement Collaborative (CIC). The grant funds will be used to help entrepreneurs throughout rural Colleton County over the next year. The grant is being matched by CIC and its contributors with an additional $21,000.

CIC will officially make the announcement October 30 in a reception to be held 5-7 p.m. at the University of South Carolina’s Salkehatchie Campus, 807 Hampton St., Room 111, Walterboro, SC. The event is open to the public.

CIC will be able to increase technical assistance and training opportunities for Colleton County entrepreneurs, including the rural towns of Walterboro, Canadys, Jacksonboro, Cottageville, Green Pond, Smoaks, Lodge, Edisto Beach, Williams, and Ruffin. CIC’s goal is to increase the economic vitality of entrepreneurs in those towns, where the median household income is $29,700 compared to the South Carolina median income of $38,000. CIC also has partnered with the S.C. Community Enterprise Center and the S.C. Women’s Business Center to provide their entrepreneurial and business training courses in Colleton County.

In related news, the grant award has enabled CIC to hire a full-time coordinator who will reach out to residents with training opportunities and help with asset building activities, such as repairing poor credit. Gail Farrior has been hired as program coordinator. She previously worked 10 years with Roper Bon Secours Healthcare as a patient representative.   Gail and her family relocated to Ravenel, SC, from New York in 1993 when she became involved with the local United Way first as a volunteer and later as a staff member. Farrior’s roots are in Colleton County. “Working for the Colleton Improvement Collaborative in Walterboro is like being home,” she says.

“Receiving the USDA Rural Development Grant is a wonderful opportunity to benefit new and emerging businesses,” says JoAnne Boone, CIC board member. “The Colleton Improvement Collaborative will be able to mentor local entrepreneurs. By providing a Small Business Center, CIC will assist in improving the economy of Colleton County. Supporting small businesses is key to the growth and economic stability in a rural environment.”

Vernita Dore, area director for USDA Rural Development, said, “USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural South Carolina communities. Small businesses are the backbone of rural communities and the opportunities available through the Colleton Improvement Collaborative will give small businesses the help they need to succeed. This is a good example of putting government dollars to work for our rural communities.”  

Colleton Improvement Collaborative

CIC is a non-profit organization comprised of community members and agencies that have come together to enhance the income and standard of living for people who are left behind by the economy of Colleton County. CIC’s goal is to support the development of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses by increasing and improving the resources and support available for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Colleton County.

USDA

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.   Rural Development promotes economic development by providing loan and grant programs to finance and foster growth in business development, homeownership, and critical community and technology infrastructure.   For more information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, contact the area office at (843) 549-1822, or visit USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.