We believe in the transformational power of business ownership and we’re thrilled to celebrate with our clients who have learned what they need to turn their dreams into successful businesses.
Watsonville, CA (PRWEB) December 16, 2013
Twenty-five aspiring entrepreneurs from Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito County are now closer to success as small business owners after graduating from El Pájaro Community Development Corporation’s Business Education and Loan Program. A graduation ceremony will be held on Monday December 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at El Pajaro CDC’s Kitchen Incubator located at 412 Riverside Dr. Watsonville CA 95076 featuring Assemblyman Luis Alejo as the keynote speaker.
El Pájaro Community Development Corporation’s 10-week Business Education and Loan Program is a training program designed to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. Graduates complete a business and management training course over 10 weeks and may be eligible to apply for start up microloans.
El Pájaro Community Development Corporation is also being recognized by PG&E’s Economic Vitality Grant Program with a $25,000 grant in support of innovative strategies to strengthen local communities through its Community Kitchen Incubator. The Incubator links emerging culinary micro-entrepreneurs with an affordable, shared-use commercial kitchen, comprehensive industry-specific business training, affordable produce, and new markets for their products. “As a local provider of electricity and natural gas, PG&E has long partnered with local organizations to help boost economic vitality in the communities we serve,” said Rob Morse, Manager of Energy Solutions and Service for PG&E. “This grant will help support El Pajaro in their efforts to stimulate economic growth, generate jobs and enhance workforce development.” PG&E will present El Pájaro Community Development Corporation with the award for enhancing economic vitality in the region.
“We believe in the transformational power of business ownership and we’re thrilled to celebrate with our clients who have learned what they need to turn their dreams into successful businesses,” explains Carmen Herrera-Mansir, Executive Director of El Pájaro Community Development Corporation. “These entrepreneurs are creating their own jobs and expanding economic opportunity in our own community.”
The Business Education and Loan Program is sponsored by: The U.S. Small Business Administration, US Department of Agriculture, and The Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, and the City of Watsonville.
El Pájaro Community Development Corporation formed in 1979 to improve economic opportunities for low-income Central Coast residents. Its mission is to promote equal access to economic opportunity and job creation for small, Latino and immigrant-owned businesses in the region. It has assisted hundreds of emerging entrepreneurs through its bilingual, bicultural business training, education, and technical assistance. Visit http://www.elpajarocdc.org.