Start-up owners offered expertise through local workshops and 10-week program

Entrepreneurs looking to open a business in Demopolis can take advantage of expertise help through a CO.STARTERS Core program.

Before the 10-week series starts in January, however, the Rural Business and Training Center (RBTC) Inc., of Demopolis, will offer several “Get Started” workshops in November where particpants can explore or refine their business ideas.

The RBTC is offering the workshops on Monday, Nov. 8, from 9-11:30 a.m. at the RH Young Community Center in Eutaw; Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 4:30–7:30 p.m. at the the Marengo County Economic Development Authority center in Linden, and Thursday, Nov. 11, from 3:30– 6:30 p.m. at the Hangout in Demopolis. The workshops are co-sponsored by the Greene County Industrial Development Authority and MCEDA.

To learn about CO.STARTERS or to register for the programs in Demopolis, visit rbtcinc.org or call 334-216-4597.

“Small businesses contribute to the growth, innovation and economic development in the Blackbelt,” said RBTC Executive Director Dr. Aliquippa Allen. “We are here to provide entrepreneurs with the assistance they need to get started. We want to rebuild our community, one business at a time, by empowering individuals with passion, purpose, persistence and a plan to start businesses,” she said.

CO.STARTERS equips entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action, Allen continued. Drawing from the experience of successful startup veterans from around the globe, the program walks small business owners through effective business modeling methods while connecting them to a community of peers and mentors.

CO.STARTERS participants are encouraged build and test small models. In the process, they receive real-time customer feedback, update their models to meet customer needs and avoid creating businesses based on incorrect assumptions.

In Demopolis, the RBTC will facilitate the 10-week program starting in January. The Black Belt Community Foundation is a program sponsor.

“Small business remains one of the fundamental economic drivers for local economies and job creation. Still, these smaller-scale startups have not received the same level of support as their high-growth counterparts,” said Allen. “CO.STARTERS aims to narrow that gap.”

The RBTC, a non-profit boots-on-the-ground rural business innovation center, was organized by area entrepreneurs and small business owners. Incorporated July 10, 2020, in Demopolis, its aim is to drive economic development and community revitalization by working with individuals who desire to start businesses in Marengo, Greene and surrounding Black Belt counties.

The RBTC mission is to educate, train and facilitate rural business startups, support existing businesses and promote community and economic development.

It is supported by the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Demopolis, Eutaw, Linden and the Marengo County Commission.