Another group of entrepreneurs has bounded over the finish line in Howard County's race to foster local business development. According to Howard County's press release, the 7th cohort of the HoCo Higher program celebrated their graduation, a literal commencement into the challenging world of entrepreneurship. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined with the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) to honor these determined individuals, an event marked with congratulations for the grit it took to complete what has been dubbed an entrepreneurial "bootcamp."
"Congratulations to everyone who took the initiative to learn how to become a better entrepreneur. Not only should you be proud of yourselves for surviving this “bootcamp,” but you should also be proud of the invaluable information you’ve gained that will undoubtedly help you in your entrepreneurial journey," Ball said, his comments captured by Howard County's official website, emphasizing the significance of the HCEDA's role in turning business dreams into tangible realities. The 8-10-week program, provided at no charge, is a concerted effort by Howard County, M&T Bank, and the SBDC to uplift early-stage and historically under-represented business owners with a curriculum that spans business planning, digital communication, financial management and more.
M&T Bank, which touts itself as the number one SBA lender in the area, is a proud partner in the initiative. "We know that small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities," said James W. Peterson, Jr., VP of the Multicultural Banking Team and Small Business Ambassador at M&T Bank, in a statement in the county's press release, that underscores the bank's vision for community vitality through nurturing small businesses. Peterson further affirmed the importance of such accelerators for economic growth and the formation of stronger, resilient communities.
As the program wrapped up, participants demonstrated their new-found expertise in a competitive scenario reminiscent of the popular "Shark Tank" TV show, where they stood to win cash prizes; Craig A. McKenzie of Engineered Design Services LLC claimed the top prize of $2,000, followed by Nysia Wilhite of Dance Solutions who not only snagged second place and a $1,000 prize but also charmed the audience to win the Crowd Favorite award. In contrast, Irfan Khan of CrewThrive also made his mark by receiving $750 for third place.
Since starting September 2021, the HoCo Higher program has helped over 120 entrepreneurs from under-represented groups. Howard County has provided more than $425,000 to support these businesses. This program helps individual entrepreneurs succeed and strengthens the local economy.
