FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 10, 2005
For more information, contact:
Jill Janov, Santa Fe Community College, (505) 428-1776
Cristina McCandless, Regional Development Corp., (505) 820-1226
Santa Fe Community College, Partners Receive
$2 million W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant to
Launch the Empowering Business Spirit Initiative
Partners Create One-of-a-Kind Network to Support and
Grow Small Businesses across Northern New Mexico
Santa Fe, NM, Friday, June 10, 2005 – Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), along with a
coalition of organizations that work with entrepreneurs and small businesses in northern New
Mexico, has been awarded a $2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of a national
rural entrepreneurship development initiative.
The Kellogg initiative, which awarded grants to six coalitions and organizations across the country,
commemorates the Michigan-based foundation’s 75th anniversary. More than 180 groups responded
to the Request for Proposals for the competitive grant selection process.
The announcement was made Thursday at the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center with various state
legislators, local elected officials and representatives from the participating organizations on hand.
The $2-million grant covers a three-year period.
The 20 participating organizations aim to increase access to services for entrepreneurs in Rio Arriba,
Taos, Mora and San Miguel counties through the newly funded partnership called The Empowering
Business Spirit (EBS) Initiative. Through the partnership, technical service providers, business capital
lenders, educational institutions, governmental agencies and policy-centered organizations will create
a virtual service network for potential and practicing entrepreneurs.
-more-
Through its division of Continuing Education and Customized Training, Santa Fe Community
College will provide the partnership’s adult training component for EBS clients. SFCC’s primary
service will be delivery of its Workplace Skills Passport Program for employees of small businesses,
a five-session training series that can be customized to an individual business or industry.
“Passport Program participants can improve their performance on the job by recognizing how factors
such as communication skills and appearance affect their careers and the ultimate success of their
company,” said Lou Schreiber, director of Workforce Training for SFCC. The college will also
connect interested small business owners and managers with instruction in business-related skills
such as accounting, computer software and marketing.
“At SFCC, we recognize that a healthy and diverse regional economy is essential to the long-term
well-being of the local residents we serve,” said Jim McLaughlin, president of SFCC. “Promoting and
sustaining small businesses is in everyone’s best interests, and SFCC is proud to be involved in this
innovative endeavor.”
The goal of the EBS Initiative is to build a small business-friendly environment in northern New
Mexico. Organizers want to see emerging entrepreneurs encouraged and nurtured by the state’s
educational system, government policy, experienced business coaches and consultants, peers and
organizations that provide business capital. Among the EBS tools immediately available to small
business owners is a Web portal, www.bizport.org, that offers entrepreneurs an easy way to find
information about partner services, regional events and news.
Funding for the development of the grant application was provided by the Los Alamos National
Laboratory’s Community Technical Assistance program and administered by the Regional
Development Corp.
EBS partners hailed the “big hug” approach as a first-of-its-kind effort that will create significant
economic opportunities for northern New Mexicans.
The EBS initiative is managed by the partners through a partnership council, which meets monthly to
discuss programming, procedures and policy. A full-time marketing coordinator and 15 community
representatives will act as grassroots links between entrepreneurs and EBS service providers.
--The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is funding this project as part of a special initiative to commemorate
its 75th Anniversary (1930-2005). Grants made during the 75th celebration will support traditional
areas of emphasis – health, food systems and rural development, youth and education, philanthropy
and volunteerism – as well as new opportunities that build on the Foundation’s current
programming. Each of these efforts will broadly reflect the Foundation’s historical commitment to
“help people help themselves.” Through their innovation and potential impact on society, they show
special promise for continuing the Foundation’s legacy. For more information about the Foundation
and its programs visit its Web site at www.wkkf.org
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Santa Fe Community College serves more than 14,500 students per year in its credit, noncredit and
adult basic education programs. The 21-year-old college offers academic, career and personalenrichment programs and services to meet the needs of business, government and the region’s diverse
population. The college contributes to the area’s economic, technological and cultural development
by offering programs ranging from art to business management and directly addresses regional job
shortages through its nursing, teacher education and culinary arts programs. For further
information, visit www.sfccnm.edu or call (505) 428-1000.
EBS PARTNERS:
North Central New Mexico
Economic Development District
Taos County Economic
Development Corp.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Technology Transfer Division
San Miguel Las Vegas
Economic Development
Corp. with New Mexico
Highlands University
New Mexico Economic
Development Department
New Mexico Community
Development Loan Fund
WESST Corp.
Northern New Mexico
ENLACE
Greater Española Valley
Community Development
Corp.
ACCION New Mexico
Las Tapetes de Lana
Taos Business Alliance for
Economic Development
Tsay Corp.
New Mexico Cooperative
Extension Service
Space Alliance Technology
Outreach Program
University of California,
Northern New Mexico Office
Santa Fe Community College
Native American Lending Group
Regional Development Corp.
Small Business Development
Centers
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