Cleveland County business leaders are moving ahead with the Certified Entrepreneurial Community (CEC) program, an aggressive economic development program aimed at advancing entrepreneurial ecosystems on a local level. They have begun the process of creating a baseline assessment and asset mapping, as well as developing goals, roles and responsibilities for the team members, and a timeline.
At the kick-off meeting in April, entrepreneurs and small business owners in attendance requested a networking event that would allow the sharing of ideas, challenges, and successes. The first event of this type was held at the LeGrand Center in June. The well-attended event advanced the need for additional sessions. The next networking opportunity was on July 21 in Boiling Springs. Attendance increased so the events will continue. Any entrepreneur, small business owner, or potential small business owner is invited to attend.
A third event will be held at the Mauney Memorial Library in Kings Mountain on August 24. "We are continuing to expand this idea-sharing opportunity as long as there is interest," said Steve Padgett, director of Cleveland Community College's Small Business Center, and coordinator of the CEC program.
Plans for a fourth entrepreneur networking event are also underway. This one will be in September at the Lawndale Community Center. Immediately following the networking event will be a FREE Small Business Seminar titled "Basics of Bookkeeping." There will also be a fifth event in October at the Polkville Town Hall. "We want to give all Cleveland County entrepreneurs and business owners an opportunity to improve their potential for success," Padgett said.

ENTREPRENEUR NETWORKING EVENT Information:

Monday, August 24, 5:00 p.m.
Business owners, potential business owners, and entrepreneurs are invited to the networking event. This session will be at the Mauney Memorial Library in Kings Mountain, NC.

Monday, September 14, 5:00 p.m.
Business owners, potential business owners, and entrepreneurs are invited. There will be a FREE Small Business Seminar at 6:00 p.m., immediately following the networking event, on the topic of "Basics of Bookkeeping." These sessions will be at the Lawndale Community Center in Lawndale, NC.

Monday, October 12, 4:30 p.m.
Business owners, potential business owners, and entrepreneurs are invited to the networking event. This session will be at the Polkville Town Hall in Polkville, NC.