The purpose of this grant is to provide funding to the Olive Hill Community Economic Development Corporation for the support of a business incubator in Valdese, North Carolina. The incubator will be co-located with a public-access computer center which will provide broadband and other services to the unemployed, the underemployed, and those with low-educational attainment. This co-location will maximize the success of emerging companies by offering access to training/educational programs, mentoring and coaching, and networking opportunities with other existing and emerging entrepreneurs. Olive Hill has received nearly $450,000 in federal Broadband Technology Opportunity Program funding for the project in addition to significant private and local government support. Western Piedmont Community College is a partner in the project and will provide entrepreneurial assistance to business ventures that locate in the center.
