In a show of confidence, the United States Department of Agriculture has awarded The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce a second Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to support small businesses in Carroll County through the BizExcel Program. Combined with a first RBDG awarded to the Chamber in 2021, this award marks a total of $198,000 granted, through a statewide competitive process, from the USDA. Funds from the grant will be used to continue the BizExcel small business support program which offers low interest loans, ongoing education, and training grants to businesses in Carroll County.
The results from the first RBDG award were impressive, with $129,000 in low interest loans to five Carroll County businesses. Four NxLevel Business Planning Series and various trainings for restaurants were offered and more than $14,250 of technical assistance funds were dedicated to training and educating local business owners. A total of twenty-two businesses have been assisted through the funds, saving, or creating 13 jobs and starting 4 businesses. The new grant will be used to continue and build on the success of the first grant.
USDA Rural Development Indiana State Director Dr. Terry Goodin stated, “The steps Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and BizExcel are taking to ensure the successful future of Hoosiers in Carroll County is tremendous. The funding they received from USDA Rural Development Indiana is helping their local businesses thrive, and that’s what we love to see when we award these grants.”
“We’re so appreciative of the USDA’s support and the support of our business partners who help make this program happen. We’re excited to continue building this program.” said Julia Leahy, Carroll County Chamber’s Executive Director.
BizExcel is a comprehensive business support program that offers various resources essential to small business growth. Carroll County based start-up businesses (which meet application requirements) and existing businesses are both eligible for BizExcel’s loans or training grants. Businesses must have less than $1 million in gross annual sales and fewer than 50 employees. Anyone is welcome to attend the Business Planning & Management Course. For more information about BizExcel, contact Amy Beechy at (574) 709-7955, [email protected] .