In its commitment to promote entrepreneurship within the institution and the community, Paul D. Camp Community College is giving aspiring small business owners a head start on realizing their dreams.

An entrepreneurial scholarship provided by PDCCC will support a student’s business concept by funding a one-year membership at the Franklin Business Center.

“This is a unique scholarship that allows us the opportunity to help our students even after they leave our college,” PDCCC President Dan Lufkin said. “They don’t pay membership fees for the first year, while benefiting from all the resources available at the FBC.”

The facility houses office space, support staff and programs that nurture young firms and expanding businesses, according to the FBC website.

“We are thrilled with Paul D. Camp Community College’s initiative to spur local entrepreneurship and believe the PDCCC entrepreneurial scholarship will be a tremendous asset to the Franklin Business Center program,” said Amanda Jarratt, president and chief executive officer of Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc.

“We are looking forward to working with students from PDCCC at the Franklin Business Center and welcome their business ideas, spirit and innovation to the program. The Franklin Business Center is excited to help each of these scholarship winners ‘Start. Grow. Thrive’ here in our community.”

To become eligible for the award, a student must complete a certificate or degree requiring at least 16 credit hours for the program in which they are enrolled.

In addition, the student would have to meet the criteria of the Franklin Business Center, which includes the completion of a client application, submission of a business plan and attendance of a meeting with the FBC mentor or Small Business Development Counselor.

After satisfying these requirements, the FBC Advisory Board would need to approve the student’s application and business plan.

“We are excited about this new scholarship,” Lufkin said. “This is just one way we can continue to support our entrepreneurial initiatives while benefiting the entire community.”

The scholarship was first announced in April at PDCCC’s entrepreneurial forum. Two of the scholarships will be awarded per academic year.

For more information, contact Dr. Renee Felts, 569-6760, or rfelts@pdc.edu.