​The curriculum of the USDA Rural Business Development Grant promotes minority and women-owned business development.  Using a collaborative approach,  teams will engage in dialogue and receive training to prepare them to make effective business decisions. 

Phase II
May 9 - July 11

First Training Session: Introduction and Business Plan Development

• Program introduction of the program
• Team building
• Expected outcomes
• Business plan development and its importance

Second Training Session:
A World of Diversity

• Effective business communication
• The importance of cultural, gender and socio-economic understanding 

Third Training Session:
Financial Fitness

• Financial skills such as budgeting, reading credit reports, debt reduction methods, dealing with bankers, etc.  
• Will cover topics related to effectively applying for state and local government contracts as an additional revenue option

Fourth Training Session:
County and State Agencies

• County networking and business opportunities
• Compliance and legal business structures

Fifth Training Session: State Agencies and Marketing

• Additional information on state agencies related to compliance
• Marketing and product/service management, public relations and competition

Sixth Training Session: Customer Service & Management

• How to deal with customers in a polite and respectful way 
• How to deliver exceptional customer service

​Seventh Training Session:  Financing Your Business

• Ways to raise the necessary capital through conventional and non-conventional means
• Includes information about start-up capital and additional capital financing resources

Eighth Training Session:  Financial Reporting and Recordkeeping

• Importance of keeping track of expenditures and revenue streams of the business
• Includes an overview of financial bookkeeping software packages
• How to properly complete state and federal tax reports and returns, including quarterly state and federal reports

Ninth Training Session: Business Plan Presentation & Graduation