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Brescia University’s CO.STARTERS program to help communities grow local businesses

Open enrollment announced at Brescia University

OWENSBORO, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2015) — Brescia University, in conjunction with the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Kentucky Innovation Network, have announced open enrollment for the fall CO.STARTERS program.

bresciaThe nationally renowned, hands-on workshop style platform seeks to help communities grow local business and develop rising students and professional leaders succeed.

“We could not be more pleased with the success that we have seen from the first two cohorts of the program,” said Sarah Jackson, director of Career Services at Brescia University and program administrator. “Students and community members alike who have participated in the program have taken the skills and knowledge they gained as a part of CO.STARTERS and are using it to bring their ideas to life.”

The seven-week course is designed to help participants think through a business idea, the assumptions behind them, determine next steps and prepare for future success. The program equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. This semester, the program promises to be even more interactive than past sessions, with guest speakers, a networking event, and opportunities to tour local businesses and learn from those industry leaders.

Students and professionals alike are invited to take part in the Fall 2015 cohort of the CO.STARTERS program. Applications are now being accepted, and space is limited. Classes will meet from 5:30-7:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Brescia University.

“The response of the STARTERS who have participated and the experience of each individual cohort has allowed us to continue to grow this program and evolve it in a way that benefits every participant,” Jackson said. “And this cohort will be no different.”

Several Brescia University students have seen direct results from their involvement in CO.STARTERS.

Yesica Cisneros, whose family has an expanding berry farm, decided to become part of the program to expand on a business that her and her family had already started. Not only was Cisneros able to take away knowledge and inspiration from CO.STARTERS, but her involvement led to her family receiving a financial grant from the Kentucky State University that will allow them to grow their production.

Alex Degg, another recent graduate from Lincoln, England has also experienced success from the program. Degg learned about an entrepreneurial competition in Bowling Green called “Bucks for Bright Ideas” from connections he made participating in CO.STARTER.

But students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the program. Community members are invited to participate as well and are using the skills they take from CO.STARTERS to turn their vision into reality.