Fayetteville is known for Fort Bragg which is the backbone of its economy making it one the biggest retail markets in the U.S. With a strong economy, Fayetteville creates business opportunities for women in the form of grants, business loans, and other resources to enable them to thrive. The environment and small business community in the City enhance women’s personal and professional growth.
Women’s Business Center of Fayetteville
Women’s Business Center of Fayetteville (WBC) supports women entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or expanding their business by proving technical assistance to them. Their services include advisory services, networking, funding, education, and training, business management, and marketing.
SBTDC at Fayetteville State University
SBTDC stands for Small Business & Technology Development Center. It is a business advisory resource that assists women in growing and developing their businesses. It operates in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, and others. Services offer at SBTDC include:
- Small Business Expertise. The SBTDC staff are highly experienced and knowledgeable since they have owned their businesses and 75% of them are degree holders on business-related subjects. Because of this, they help women in addressing a business issue such as planning, human resources, marketing, financial management, and business operations. Small business expertise also assists in providing the needs of women in business by giving industry-specific advice and counseling. Through SBTDC, women have been able to enhance their professional as well as their personal growth and development.
- Training and Education. The SBTDC recognizes that training and education are the only of removing women out of poverty and enhancing their professional growth. It provides valuable training and education to women, resources, and assistance they need to start or expand their businesses. Moreover, each of the regional offices of SBTDC holds educational seminars along with in-depth classes designed to take women through developing and improving their skills in business management.
FTCC’s Small Business Center
FTCC stands for Fayetteville Technical Community College. FTCC’s Small Business Center supports women in Fayetteville to starting and expanding their businesses by providing services such as counseling, seminars, and courses to help them achieve their goals and thrive. Counseling services are free, confidential, and depends on your needs.
Goals of FTCC’s Small Business Center
- To support the economic development of the region.
- To respond promptly you the training needs of women-owned businesses.
- To support women through funding to enable them to achieve business development.
Requirements for Assistance
Businesswomen in need of assistance must demonstrate 2 or more of the following:
- The business is using new technology in its daily operations.
- The business is making an appreciable capital investment.
- The business is making progress in terms of productivity and profitability.
- The skills of your employees will be enhanced by the assistance.
Visit their website at https://www.faytechcc.edu/corporate-continuing-education/customized-training-economic-development/#sbc.
CEED’s Capital Loan Program
This program is run by the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED) and it helps inexperienced and less qualified women to access capital which they may not get through the traditional banking system. The program is dedicated to providing a bridge to startup and existing women-owned small businesses that assist with the creation of employment opportunities and retention thus improves the economic wellbeing of Fayetteville City. The loan can be used in the following areas:
- Purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment.
- It can be used as working capital to maintain business daily operations.
- To improve locations.
Visit https://www.ncceed.org/business-loans/ for more information and inquiries.
Employment in the City
The mission of the City of Fayetteville is to provide services that make it a better place for all women. To achieve this mission, the City recognizes the need to employ talented and dedicated women with quality customer service and able to work in a team environment. The City offers market-competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package to all female employees.
Purchasing Division of Fayetteville
Fayetteville’s Purchasing Division welcomes women and gives them the opportunity to do business with interested merchants and vendors in the City. The door is open for all potential bidders and encourages the participation of the Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBE) in the purchasing process. To support women interested in working with the City, the Purchasing Division encourages them to attend the SDBE course which is a program that works to increase the participation of women in procurement opportunities. Visit https://fayettevillenc.gov/government/city-departments/purchasing-division for more information.
Cumberland County Partnership for Children. This is the local county office that handles subsidized childcare services. The partnership assists single mothers by offering state and federal funds which are normally allocated in various areas in the city. The amount every single mom headed household will receive depends on income and the cost of childcare. single mothers qualifying for such funds must fall in one or more of the following situations:
- You are working or looking for a job.
- You are still in school or a job training program.
- Your child is receiving child protection services and has developmental needs.
Find out more at http://www.ccpfc.org/.