Expanding Entrepreneurship in Appalachia
Continuing job loss, slow new job growth, changing demographics, and lack of skills and/or education in distressed ARC counties presented an opportunity for NC REAL to assist Appalachian citizens who aspire to be entrepreneurs, to create jobs and to improve their lives. Thousands of adults with varying backgrounds and goals have successfully used REAL to turn ideas into sustainable businesses. REAL has been thought effectively in ARC states to introduce participants to the basics of entrepreneurship, establish enterprises, and become more innovative thinkers, all skills valued by business.
The REAL curriculum and teacher training needs recharging to include more attention to emerging industries, financial literacy, technology application, and understanding of international markets. A revised REAL Entrepreneurship curriculum will add value to the current content and to future REAL Institute teacher training events. REAL facilitators will have support from a network of experienced REAL facilitators in other Appalachia REAL programs that will lead to continuous improvement of programs and generate innovative ideas for community support to build sustainability.
The project, Expanding Entrepreneurship in Appalachia – A Way to Work, is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and will provide support to North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York ARC counties.
