Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2009

The Entrepreneurial Rural Project Network (ERPNet) is a component of the Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project (ERBDP). ERPNet (web-based resource) is one of ERBDP's outreach tools used to disseminate information vital to stimulating business and economic development in rural North Florida.

About ERBDP

ERBDP is a successful USDA/RD/RBS 1890 Land Grant outreach Initiative implemented by Florida A & M University’s (FAMU) Cooperative Extension and Outreach Program.

Why Do We Exist?

Rural economies are deteriorating at an unacceptable pace and cannot fulfill their vital function of job creation and retention for residents.

Target Audience

ERBDP's services are available to residents of north Florida's rural counties with the most economic need. Our primary focus areas are Gadsden, Hamilton, Jackson and Madison Counties. The four selected counties are all "Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern" (RACEC) as designated by John Ellis (Jeb) Bush. RACEC communities are characterized as economically distressed, limited in growth potential, not experiencing the same robust economic growth as the rest of the state, and often having difficulty simply meeting basic needs. Unfortunately, the four counties represent a microcosm of the economic and social problems facing rural areas of America and other countries.

Services

The Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project (ERBDP) utilizes two primary strategies to decrease economic deterioration:

· Direct Technical Assistance:

To provide hands-on-technical assistance, training in creation of new, and expansion of existing business enterprises, including non-profit organizations and alternative business enterprises.

·         ERPNet:

To provide personalized and targeted Internet resources that link rural community leaders and residents to relevant business and economic development information.

What We Do?

Provide hands-on-technical assistance and education services in the following areas:

·         Business Plan Development

·         Community Corporation Development (Florida - nonprofits)

·         Loan Application Preparation

·         Federal 501 (c ) 3 Tax-Exemption

·         Cooperative Development

·         Social Enterprise Development

·         Grant Identification

·         Agra-Tourism Development

Provide personalized and targeted Internet resources (ERPNet) that link community leaders and residents to relevant information. ERPNet services include:

·         ePanhandle

·         Business Plan Template

·         Business Development Links

·         Publications

·         ePhoto Album

·         eNewsletter

·         Service Request

Got a question? Call the Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project (ERBDP) at 850-561- 2190, 850-412-5254, 850-599-3546 or email us.