USDA Rural Development Awards the EDC Rural Business Enterprise Grant
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—JULY 5, 2007—The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) announced today that it was named the recipient of a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant. The award, totaling $74,999, will be used to fund the creation of business plans for EDC’s rural Iowa clients.
The EDC's primary function is to connect entrepreneurial needs with qualified community and state resources and to provide guided professional and business direction, with a focus on interstate commerce businesses. According to the EDC, writing an effective business plan is a major hurdle for most entrepreneurs.
“One of the greatest challenges for entrepreneurs is crafting a solid business plan that can help them attract the investors and talent necessary for future growth,” said Curt Nelson, EDC President & CEO. “The funds from the USDA Business Enterprise Grant will allow us to help many rural entrepreneurs overcome this challenge.”
The Entrepreneurial Development Center was one of seven Iowa organizations awarded a Rural Business Enterprise Grant from USDA Rural Development. Other organizations receiving USDA grant funds include: Clayton County Development Group, Inc. ($50,000), Ida County Economic Development Corporation ($89,003), Newton Development Corporation ($10,000), Iowa Central Community College ($74,990), Sigourney Area Development Corporation ($89,004) and Adams Community Development Corporation ($89,004).
The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) was incorporated in 2003 as a community sponsored non-profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted over 300 Iowa headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses. In 2006, the EDC expanded its reach to rural Iowa businesses through the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Renew Rural Iowa initiative (www.iowafarmbureau.com/renewruraliowa).
