Small Business Accelerator Program offered in Carbondale

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – The City of Carbondale, in collaboration with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University, introduces a first-of-its-kind 10-week small business Accelerator Program.

This initiative is set to revolutionize small business support in Carbondale by offering seed funding to empower startups and foster entrepreneurship in an underdeveloped area.

Carbondale is the recipient of an $80,707 grant under the Energy Transition Community Grant (ETCG) program which is a component of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).

The initiative is designed to mitigate the impact of fossil fuel plant or coal mine closures by providing funding for projects including workforce development, financial assistance for residents and public infrastructure investment.

The allocation of these funds is dedicated to supporting local small businesses through the Carbondale Accelerator Program.

The program is aimed at fostering increased business opportunities. Specific emphasis is placed on empowering women, minorities, and historically disadvantaged populations. The recognition of the unique challenges faced by these groups in the entrepreneurial landscape underscores the commitment to inclusive economic development.

“Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to starting a new business, especially for those members of historically disadvantaged populations,” said Steven Mitchell, the City of Carbondale’s Economic Development Director. “Using start-up capital from grant funds provided by the State of Illinois, combined with first-class entrepreneurship training from the SBDC at SIU, is a rare opportunity that will make a lasting impact for many aspiring entrepreneurs and their families.”

The Illinois SBDC at SIU plays an important role in supporting small businesses by offering invaluable resources, mentorship and education.

Through the Carbondale Accelerator Program, the SBDC created an educational curriculum that empowers entrepreneurs with practical insights, tools and one-on-one mentorship to navigate the complexities of starting and growing their ventures successfully.

The Carbondale Accelerator Program, conducted both in-person and virtually, is tailored to offer valuable insights, practical steps and one-on-one mentorships. It is open to people ages 18 and older. Participants must either reside or operate their business in Carbondale and have a startup or an existing business operational for less than two years.

Successful completion of the program grants participants $1,250 in startup funding. There is a potential to pitch for additional funding of up to $5,000 before a panel of judges. The financial support aims to fuel the growth and development of the participants’ ventures.

“It’s a great joy to be a part, even a small part, in assisting entrepreneurs in their journey. Witnessing their success is a humbling reminder that our resources can significantly impact their growth,” said Yemisi Anderson, Small Business Advisor at the Illinois SBDC at SIU.

Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply at sbdc.siu.edu. Interested individuals must submit their applications by January 30, 2024. The program is set to commence on February 15, 2024.

For more information call 618-536-2424 or email sbdc@siu.edu.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.