Washington County Local Development Corporation Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP)
Contemplating starting or expanding a small business?
Overwhelmed with all that a start up entails?
Ready for the next step to seek assistance?
You don't know, what you don't know, but you've found a partner to provide assistance and answers.
The Washington County Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP) is administered by the Washington County Local Development Corporation.
The Program is open to ALL Washington County prospective entrepreneurs and existing commerical enterprises in Washington County having ten or fewer employees.
Through a combination of classroom instruction, low-cost financing, resource materials, a local support system, and hundreds of other MAP graduates, you will have the opportunity to acquire the skills and resources necessary to achieve your business goals. Hundreds of entrepreneurs have participated in the MAP since 1995.
The Microenterprise Assistance Program is composed of Three Parts:
1. SEMINAR SEQUENCE
MAP consists of ten weekly seminars given by experts in various fields, giving you the opportunity to develop valuable business skills through hands-on training that is designed to assist you to:
- Develop a Business Plan
- Understand Marketing Basics and Advertising Principals
- Provide Outstanding Customer Service
- Determine Start-up Costs, Break Even Points and Pricing
- Navigate through Legal, Tax and Insurance Issues
- Set Up and Maintain Basic Bookkeeping
- Choose the Best Options for Financing
2. MICROENTERPRISE LOAN FUND
MAP provides an opportunity for financing through the MICROENTERPRISE LOAN FUND administered by the Washington County Local Development Corporation.
MAP "graduates" who complete the seminar and complete a business plan can apply for low-cost, flexible-term financing. In addition, the Washington County Local Development Corporation is available to assist with information on financing from other public and private resources.
3. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
You will also have access to a variety of business assistance materials including reference books, business plan manuals, video tapes, telephone books, continuing education catalogues, magazines, newspapers, and an Internet reference listing. And the WCLDC staff is always available to discuss your business ideas.
We can also direct you to other small business assistance programs sponsored by ACC, Cooperative Extension, the Small Business Development Center, BOCES, SCORE and neighboring counties.
For an application or more information on the Microenterprise Assistance Program contact Washington County LDC. |
