To support local businesses, the Arlington Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has partnered with SCORE, a national nonprofit comprised of volunteer business mentors, to provide specialized workshops for 18 business owners based in the city of Arlington. The focus of the new initiative is designed to catalyze growth by covering essential topics such as crafting a business plan, enhancing sales and marketing strategies, leveraging social media effectively, understanding financials, and more. As reported by the City of Arlington, Texas, the city's small entrepreneurs will also benefit from one-on-one sessions with SCORE mentors.
"Small businesses are the cornerstone of innovation, economic growth and community strength," Bob Sifferman, district director of SCORE North Texas, was quoted in the City of Arlington, Texas. He emphasized that the combined efforts of the City and its EDC, partnered with SCORE, led to the creation of an intensive Cohort training program. This initiative is one among other resources offered by the City aimed at supporting up-and-coming enterprises and, seasoned entrepreneurs alike.
With a population nudging 400,000, Arlington is no small town. The EDC's executive director, Marty Wieder, remarked on the breadth of the program’s reach: "Arlington is a city of 400,000 residents, so we’re painting with a big brush to include and involve as many small business start-ups and prospective entrepreneurs as we can." Wieder's comment underscores a commitment to ensuring expansive small business resource availability, per the City of Arlington, Texas.
The partnership between the Arlington EDC and SCORE reinforces both organizations' investment in local economic well-being. "SCORE’s cohort will point businesses to resources they need depending on the status of their enterprises and link them to mentors who have done something similar or owned a comparable business," said Wieder, per the City of Arlington, Texas. Applications for the joint program opened on June 4 and will run through June 28, with the program set to commence the week of July 22.
