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The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program, presented by the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, supports rural communities and diversifies local economies. From planning and startup through expansion, this free, twelve-week program provides on-site and virtual training sessions for Mississippi business owners and prospective business owners in Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties.

REDI - Phase III - begins August 31, 2023.

Program Areas

• Starting, managing and growing a business
• Understanding business structure and legal requirements
• Financing the business
• Budgeting and managing financial statements
• Managing taxes
• Choosing appropriate computer applications
• Managing employee issues

Participant Outcomes

• ​Business Development - increase entrepreneurial leadership skills and improve standard business practices
• Strategic Planning - establish short-term and long-term goals
• Access to Capital  - discover access channels to lenders and funding networks for working capital needs​

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Eligibility
Mississippi business owners and prospective business owners operating in Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties

Traditionally under-represented businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Resources
USDA Rural Development Website

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Locations
Workshops will be conducted both onsite and virtually
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Phase I

​Alcorn State University
1000 ASU Drive
Norman, Mississippi 39096
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​​Bernheimer Building
212 Walnut Street
Port Gibson, Mississippi 39150​​

Phase II

Mondays - Individual coaching sessions in Port Gibson
Tuesdays - Group business development workshops in Natchez (in person and virtual)
Wednesdays - Individual coaching sessions in Fayette

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​Bernheimer Building
212 Walnut Street
Port Gibson, Mississippi 39150​​

​Mississippi State University Extension
75 A Carthage Point Road
Natchez, Mississippi 39120
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​City Hall
59 Medgar Evers Boulevard 
​Fayette, Mississippi 39069​

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Program Leaders

Merdith Corley is a senior executive and entrepreneur experienced with Fortune 500 companies, like Motorola Corp, Dun & Bradstreet Corp and Heller Financial Corporation. He currently leaves Triple C Consulting Corp as its CEO.

He has extensive experience in project management, business development and government contracting and provides technical assistance and seminar training for government agencies, universities, farmers, and businesses throughout the United States.
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Corley earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University; Master’s degree in project management from DePaul University;  MBA from Keller Graduate School of Business Management; certification in system integration from Motorola University; and a Diplomacy in Ministry Degree from Living Word School of Ministry.

Jennifer Johnson is Manager of the HBCU Research and Contracts Consortium.  Jennifer has experience in business development, leadership development and government relations.   She cultivates government and private sector relationships to grow research and contracting opportunities for HBCUs and MSIs. 

She also is responsible for ensuring the development of a pipeline of learning, apprentice, and business opportunities for HBCU students, prospective students, faculty and institutions. 
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Jennifer is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and the University of South Carolina School of Law.

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