Of more than 120 applications, six projects across the nation received funding from the Foundation for Rural Service Grant program. The Youth EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI), a first ever pilot program initiated by a Public/Private partnership between Phillipsburg Middle School, Discover Phillipsburg Main Street, and the Entrepreneurial Center in Phillipsburg, is one of those six projects which received funding.
The ESI curriculum was developed through the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln. EntrepreneurShip Investigation is an exciting, interactive, and comprehensive curriculum project designed for youth, ages 10-19. Through exciting activities, case studies and current technology, students are transformed into budding entrepreneurs! Not only that, students will learn that they can do all of these things without moving to a large city. This curriculum will be presented to fifty-one eighth grade students at the Phillipsburg Middle school, taught three days a week by instructors Mrs. Jackie Abell and Mr. Jim Smith.
The funding awarded by the FRS grant program will provide seed money to any viable business plans that may arise from this curriculum. “We are excited about partnering with Discover Phillipsburg Main Street and the Phillipsburg Middle school for this Youth ESI program. How exciting to know through the FRS grant, we will be able to offer seed money for those students who are serious about becoming youth entrepreneurs,” stated Bridgit Smith, Director of the Phillips County Community Foundation.
In addition to the seed money, a portion of this grant is will be used to fund the Train the Trainer session. This session is scheduled for December 9th at the E-Center in Phillipsburg. The training is not only open to the Phillipsburg teachers, but is also to anyone in the region interested in developing their own ESI program.
The Foundation for Rural Service provides annual grants for programs in rural communities served by NTCA Members. Their grants support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America.
For a list of other projects that were awarded funding, please visit:
http://www.frs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5410&Itemid=2423
For more information, please contact Kera Nuckolls, Executive Director of Discover Phillipsburg Main Street at (785) 540-4284 or dpmainstreet@ruraltel.net or Bridgit Smith, Executive Director of the Phillips County Community Foundation at (785) 540-4110 or pccf@ruraltel.net .