Kern EDC looking to aid growing businesses – Economic Gardening at its best

Small Tehachapi businesses with under 50 employees and the potential to grow economically may be chosen to receive valuable help from the Kern County Economic Development Corporation, which recently received three major grants from the United States Department of Agriculture.

by Joy Gray Mazzola

Tehachapi News Reporter

http://www.tehachapinews.com/07212004/ker.html

(Thanks to Chris Gibbons for passing this along- Russ)

The grants will be used to grow local businesses in small Kern communities experiencing high unemployment rates and to fund specific projects in eastern Kern.

“We are pleased that Kern County is being recognized for its strong economic development commitment and its ongoing potential for growth,” said Kern EDC CEO Patrick Collins.

One of the grants will provide $80,000 to develop an innovative project called “Tomatoes on Steroids,” which the EDC calls an “economic gardening strategy” that targets small companies in Kern County.

Eight to 10 small businesses will be chosen to receive an intensive economic development plan which will identify opportunities by providing multi-faceted business support, resulting in job growth.

Collins said rather than simply providing a start-up service to companies, the “Tomatoes on Steroids” project will go a step further, seeking out and assisting companies that have the potential to grow as well as make a positive economic impact on the communities in which they are located.

Kern EDC identified Tehachapi as one of 12 Kern County communities that fits the requirements for consideration in the project.

“The community of Tehachapi is a real possibility,” Collins said. “We are looking for small to medium sized companies that are looking for assistance to grow financially and informationally as well as develop their work-force.”

Collins said the EDC is developing a list of potential companies that have good growth opportunities and are creating wealth in the context of selling their products outside the region.

“For instance, if you and I both grew tomatoes and sold them on the side of the road we would both maintain our business at a certain level,” Collins said. “But if I grew tomatoes and sold them to someone outside the community to make ketchup, my business would have the potential to grow as well as economically impact my community.”

Collins explained that the grant money will be used by the EDC to hire a business consultant who would help eight to 10 small businesses find ways to grow at no charge.

“We can help people instead of just provide money,” he said.

According to Collins, a consultant will be hired within the next few weeks.

“Then we will put a call out to chambers and business groups as well as city and community leaders to help locate possible businesses that fit our criteria,” Collins said.

For more information, call Patrick Collins at (661) 862-5161.

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