Rural Business Outreach Institute

The purpose of the Rural Business Outreach Institute is to provide individuals or groups with the necessary information, technical assistance, and financial support to start their own business, improve or expand their existing business, create employment opportunities, and develop programs to retain jobs.

2008 Consortium of Entrepreneurs Lecture Series

Through June, July, and August we’ll be showcasing some of Middle Georgia’s finest entrepreneurs in a five-part lecture series hosted by the RBOI. Download the flyer for more information

Downloads

RBOI Brochure
Business Plan a Startup
Spring 2008 Workshop Schedule
2008 RBOI Schedule
RBOI Authorization Form
Entrepreneur Center Guidelines
Eddie Madison
Program Coordinator
Rural Business Outreach Institute
1005 State University Drive
Fort Valley, GA 31030
madisone@fvsu.edu
478-825-6127 Office
478-714-1927 Cell
478-825-6139 Fax
Joy Moten-Thomas
Director
Tel (478) 825-6060
Fax (478) 825-6139
thomasb@fvsu.edu

Success Stories

Peach County obtains Entrepreneur Friendly status

Rufus Crane
Outline of Need: Peach County is in very much need of grants to improve on the efforts of entrepreneurship and economic development throughout the county.

How Rural Business-Cooperative Helped: With the resources of Fort Valley State University’s Rural Business Outreach Institutes workshops, conferences, and seminars the county was eligible to receive the Entrepreneur Friendly status through the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The Results: This qualifies the county of Peach to apply for up to $25,000 in grant money to improve the economic development of Peach County and to offer more funding for entrepreneurs of the county.

Rufus Crane

When Middle Georgia entrepreneur Rufus Crane wanted to expand his bookkeeping business, he turned to Fort Valley State University’s Rural Business Outreach Institute for help. The RBOI, which assists business owners in starting or expanding their operations, helped Crane find a small business loan through Wells Fargo.

“This was an exciting moment for Mr. Crane and for me,” said Eddie Madison, RBOI’s program coordinator. “We were able to find additional funds to expand his business, while helping to create more jobs in Middle Georgia.”

Crane, who was happy to close on his new loan said, “Mr. Madison provided clear and efficient service, and the terms were very easy to understand and the interest was low.”

Hidden Acres Nursery

Hidden Acres Bank Loan Signing On Oct. 24 W.F. White received a loan of $217,530 to start Hidden Acres Nursery, a wholesale nursery, with his son. Participating in the paperwork signing at SunMark Community Bank are (from left) Dollie Horton, Public Service Center director; Janice Nelson, executive director of the FVSU Foundation; David Rucker, attorney; Charlie Adams Jr.; W.F. White of Hidden Acres Nursery; and Jim McClarnon, SunMark Community Bank President.

Outline of Need: W.F. White, a hardworking salesman at a local car dealership, wanted to start a wholesale nursery business with his son. Mr. White contacted the University’s Rural Business Outreach Institute (RBOI) to see how we could assist him in identifying alternative funding sources to help him start his own business. Most of our clients have already been denied by their banks prior to establishing a relationship with us. After a few consultations and words of encouragement, our office assisted in the development of a business plan and loan proposal. As a result, the same bank funded his loan proposal.

How Rural Development Helped: Rural Business Outreach Institute guided Mr. White through the loan process from the initial consultation on down to the loan closing.

The Results: Fort Valley State University Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) and SunMark Community Bank loaned Mr. White a total of $241,700. These funds enable the recipient to build a wholesale nursery and created five jobs for the local community.