HARLINGEN — New business skills could be even more critical in the age of pandemic.
The Harlingen Economic Development Corp. is once again sponsoring free classes to allow local entrepreneurs the chance to up their game.
The Kauffman FastTrac course is offered through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center.
The classes will help with identifying market needs and business fundamentals, exploring risk and success factors, networking, building an effective business plan and accessing available business resources.
“The overall goal is to have entrepreneurs develop a solid framework to support the start of their business,” said Maria Villalon, UTRGV Kauffman instructor. “My hope is that they understand how their role will grow and that they gain knowledge to prepare them to fill those roles.”
This round of classes is open to just 10 participants who will be selected by the HEDC board. Classes will be held each Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning Nov. 3 and ending Dec. 15.
“The Kauffman program helped me put pen to paper and get my ideas and vision out of my head and into an organized plan,” said Greg Rangel, owner of Maizeria.
“My business plan has definitely made the rollout of Maizeria much smoother than anticipated,” he added. “I greatly appreciate that I was given the opportunity to attend the program.”
“HEDC has been a proud sponsor of these training classes for many years. We see how the program has helped many of our small business owners continue to grow or begin their business dreams here in Harlingen,” said Raudel Garza, the HEDC’s CEO.
The Kauffman FastTrac program was launched by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Kauffman was a Kansas City-based businessman.
The application includes a series of questions that must be filled out accurately. Entrepreneurs interested in the FastTrac classes can apply here: www.utrgv.edu/ecc/access-to-knowledge/kauffman-harlingen-application-english/index.htm.
