The EmPOWER Mentorship Program is a facilitated mentoring model designed to help underrepresented businesses generate ideas, identify blind spots, troubleshoot problems, and grow their networks in Frederick County. Discussion themes will be set for every session and include subjects such as marketing, legal matters, human resources, finance, real estate matters, goal-setting, strategic planning, and networking. Two seasoned business leaders and a facilitator will guide the mentorship program throughout its 8-week duration.
The program will begin on October 18th and will meet weekly (for 1 1/2hours) until December 6th. Up to 10 participants will be chosen for the EmPOWER Mentorship Program. Any questions may be directed to Jodie Bollinger, Director of Business Retention and Expansion at jbollinger@frederickcountymd.gov
Applications must be submitted by September 17, 2021 by 5 PM. To apply click here.
Requirements: To participate in the OED EmPOWER Mentorship program, applicants must qualify in the following ways:
1. Businesses must be 51% underrepresented - For this program, “underrepresented” is defined as identity groups whose percentage of the business community is lower than that of the dominant identity subgroup. This program considers this to include business community members who are: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, Black or African American, Biracial, Hispanic, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, People of Color; People with Disabilities; those who identify as Intersexual, Gender-Fluid, Nonbinary, Transgender, or Women; and those who identify as Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Queer or Questioning.
2. Businesses must be in the idea-stage or growth-stage status:
a. Idea Stage - businesses that have not been yet to be established and/or are in their first two years of opening. The proprietor must live in Frederick County
b. Growth Stage - businesses that generate revenue under $5 million annually and have been in business for over two years. Business must be located in Frederick County and must be in good standing with the State of Maryland (https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch).
Applicants must commit to attending all eight in-person meetings unless an emergency or unforeseen circumstance arises. Chosen applicants will be asked to pay a $100 program fee.
For more information about the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, visit discoverfrederickmd.gov.