A $50,000 grant to support entrepreneurs and foster start-up businesses in Haywood County was awarded to the Haywood County Economic Development Commission from the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The idea for the grant was hatched in cooperation with Hay-wood Community College and the Haywood County Chamber of Com-merce.

“Small business is a key pillar of economic development in our community and we need to promote the start-up and expansion of local businesses,” said Mark Clasby, Executive Director for the Economic Development Commission.

The grant signals that the N.C. Dept. of Commerce, historically dedicated to recruiting large corporations and manufacturing industries, is recognizing the value of growing jobs from within a community. Rallying and inspiring potential entrepreneurs will be one use of the grant.

“This will allow us to sponsor a speaker of national significance to help promote the value of small businesses and to provide the spark that leads businesses into the next phase of planning for growth and expansion,” said Dr. Greg Rutherford, vice president of Workforce Development and the Regional High Technology Center.

Two business forums are already planned. The first forum will be held on Nov. 16 to encourage business start-ups. In March, another forum will held to identify high growth and high potential businesses, according to Sharron Donnahoe, director of HCC’s Small Business Center.

They grant will also help provide assistance with market research, product development, office, Internet and clerical support.

“We plan to nurture and accelerate beyond what is currently available to help these businesses grow,” Clasby said. “This is an important time and an exciting time for developing entrepreneurs for the future.”

Clasby said other partners will include the Smoky Mountain Development Corporation and their incubator, a building in Waynesville that offers cheap rent and overhead for emerging entrepreneurs.

Also on the entrepreneur front, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Business Plan Competition, where the entrepreneur with the best business idea receives a $10,000 grant provided by private donations. That grant should be awarded in early 2006.

For more information contact the EDC at 828.456.3737.