In The Beginning
The Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association has just completed the first seven months of operations. This has been a very exciting and busy time for the program. More than 150 people have attended orientations, workshops or received technical assistance since July. Three full microbusiness workshops have been presented in collaboration with the International Institute of Rhode Island. Forty-two new entrepreneurs completed training classes and received graduation certificates. Also, five people completed a Statewide MicroEnterprise Train-the-Trainer program to qualify as instructors for the MicroBusiness Training Workshop. The new instructors will help expand the program to new communities with teaching in Spanish and Portuguese.

Bonus Benefits
The Association has had the opportunity to work with a number of Johnson & Wales Entrepreneurship students. One student from Mount Pleasant High School also worked with the Association as an intern during the summer.

Supporters & Affiliations
The Association is financially supported by the Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council (HRIC), the Rhode Island Foundation, and Johnson & Wales University. The Association is a member of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, the National Society of Fundraising Executives, and the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO). The Association is now a State Affiliate of AEO and is posted on the AEO web site.

New Training Programs Scheduled for January, 2001
The Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association is increasing the number of training sites and number of microbusiness training programs to be offered in Rhode Island in 2001. Over the past few months, training sessions have been offered on Providence's Southside at the International Institute. New programs are currently in development with the Smith Hill Community Center in Providence, the Cape Verde Association in Pawtucket, the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and the Warwick Public Library. New 4-week programs will be offered at the International Institute and Warwick Public Library beginning the week of January 22nd.

Additional Association Roles
The Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association will continue to expand its service coverage in order to be able to provide microenterprise training to residents statewide. Another role for the Association is to educate and inform local legislators and lenders about the importance of microbusiness in the economy.

SUPPORTED BY
RHODE ISLAND HUMAN RESOURCES INVESTMENT COUNCIL -
RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION A COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE OF THE LARRY FRIEDMAN INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHOOL OF GLOBAL MANAGEMENT - JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY
The MicroBusiness Revolution Begins Here!
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