SCORE mentors provide support at no cost for
rural entrepreneurs.
WASHINGTON, July 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses in rural areas grow at a slower
rate than large businesses and face greater challenges to succeed,
according to SCORE, a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA). As the nation's largest network of
volunteer, expert business mentors, SCORE is working to change this
trend by providing rural small businesses with the necessary
resources and mentoring support they need to achieve greater
growth.
Meeting challenges with resources and support
Rural
small business employment grew by 1% between 2012 and 2019, while
rural large business employment grew by 13% over the same time
period, according to the SBA. In addition, rural entrepreneurs are
more likely than non-rural entrepreneurs to be impacted by higher
costs of doing business, according to a SCORE survey. To bridge
these gaps, SCORE offers rural entrepreneurs access to free,
personalized guidance from small business mentors across the
country who are experts in various industries and business
strategies, including the unique challenges faced by those in rural
communities.
Kat Johnson explains why she turned to SCORE for help with her
salad-centric farm in Check, Va.:
"Making decisions in isolation is really intimidating, especially
in a situation where I don't know what is 'normal' or what to
expect before I experience it. My SCORE mentor is interested in
seeing me reach my goals, do my best and anticipate the next phase
of business life that is ahead of me."
Mentorship and more
Alongside mentoring, SCORE also
offers a variety of resources specifically designed for small
businesses. From online workshops and courses to helpful articles
and templates, SCORE provides entrepreneurs with the knowledge and
tools they need to develop their businesses and reach their full
potential.
"Rural entrepreneurs have a longer-term outlook, with many
influenced by the weather and the growth cycles of crops and
animals," said SCORE mentor Kurt
Hulliger. "They are entrusted with improving the land to
guarantee healthful products for their customers. I enjoy working
over years with my clients and developing friendships that
last."
Through its local and national networks of community and
government partners, SCORE can also assist rural entrepreneurs when
it comes to finding and navigating funding opportunities. "Our
critical rural business funding is supported in foundational ways
by our partnership with SCORE," explains Rhiannon Hampson, Maine State Director at USDA
Rural Development. "With the support and services they provide,
SCORE is helping our USDA RD dollars go further, be more
strategically invested and ultimately create success stories for
the community as a whole."
With SCORE's help, rural small businesses can access the
expertise, resources and support they need to overcome the
challenges they face. This ultimately leads to greater growth
opportunities for these businesses, which in turn contributes to
the economic development of rural communities.
Request a mentor today at score.org/find-mentor.
About SCORE:
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17
million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business.
SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources
and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at
www.score.org.
Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S.
Small Business Administration.
CONTACT
SCORE
202-968-6428
media@score.org
Looking for a small business expert or owner for an upcoming
media story? Email media@score.org to request an interview
source.
SOURCES:
https://advocacy.sba.gov/2023/08/22/small-businesses-in-rural-areas/
https://www.score.org/megaphone-main-street-small-business-ruralurban-divide
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SOURCE SCORE