New Training Programs: 39 Entrepreneurs Begin Classes!
The Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association (RIMA) began two new microbusiness training programs during the week of January 22. Sixteen (16) new and future business owners met at the International Institute in Providence for their first workshop on Monday, January 22nd. This series will continue for four weeks. The class is led by Professor Kenneth Proudfoot, Director of the Larry Friedman International Center for Entrepreneurship at Johnson & Wales University. The International Institute is handicap accessible. Twenty-three (23) people began classes for the second new microbusiness program of 2001 hosted by the Warwick Public Library on Tuesday, January 23rd. This program is co-sponsored by the Homebased Business Association of Rhode Island and RIMA. It features instructors Tim Reinke and Kenneth Proudfoot. Additional workshops will be offered in Warwick and West Warwick. The Warwick Public Library is handicap accessible.

February Programs Offer Two New Venues
The Association will begin offering a microbusiness program in Pawtucket in collaboration with the Cape Verde-American Association in Pawtucket, RI. It will be taught by Bert Barbosa in Portuguese. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will offer a microbusiness program at its offices in Providence beginning in February. This class will be taught by Ray Guzman and Kenneth Proudfoot in Spanish.

White House Awards to MicroEnterprise Organizations
The White House awarded five microenterprise organizations awards on January 16th for their work in bringing training and technical assistance to their communities. The award winning organizations include the Center for Economic Options, Charleston, WV; Partners for the Common Good, San Antonio, TX; the Ms. Foundation, NY; Women's Initiative for Self Employment, San Francisco, CA; and Women's Opportunity Resource Center, Philadelphia, PA.

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 a State Affiliate of AEO and is posted on the AEO web site. The Association is now recognized as a Business & Industry Partner of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and will begin appearing on the Chamber's web site soon.

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!
Back To News Page