Alice Lloyd College Appalachian Entrepreneurial Development Program

With the loss of many jobs due to the decline of Central Appalachia’s coal industry, the region’s poor economy has taken an additional blow. The percentage of working age adults who have jobs is below 30%. Seventy-four percent of all Central Appalachian counties classified as “economically distressed” in the Appalachian Regional Commission‘s 2013 report are located within Alice Lloyd’s 108-county service area.

Alice Lloyd College’s Appalachian Entrepreneurial Development Program has been specifically designed to promote regional economic development by assisting, teaching, and training current and future entrepreneurs. Eighty-three percent of Alice Lloyd graduates return to work and serve in the region, which means that students involved with this program will be ready to have an immediate impact on the region’s economic climate. The College intends for this new and innovative program to be a key factor in battling poverty and job loss in Appalachia, specifically in eastern Kentucky.

The College’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Collaborative Learning will:

• serve as a forum in which we will bring in experts in entrepreneurial development, as well as civic and political leaders, to help us in our quest to create new businesses and jobs here in the mountains
• serve as a point of contact where aspiring entrepreneurs and others can get information and assistance
• encourage partnerships with local and regional businesses and organizations to support community and economic development
• aid current and new businesses in becoming more competitive
• encourage the use of technology in creating and making businesses more competitive
• support and promote community and economic development projects

The Appalachian Entrepreneurial Development Program offers many services to the college and surrounding communities that include:

• entrepreneurship training and workshops
• business model generation
• business plan development/consultation
• research assistance
• access to area professionals and networks
• entrepreneurship convocations
• general/small business coaching and advising

In addition to these services, the program offers many opportunities specifically for Alice Lloyd College students. These are:

• a minor in entrepreneurship
• social entrepreneurship retreats
• business plan/concept participation and assistance
• Entrepreneurship Club

Questions? Please contact:

Rachel Childers, Director of ALC’s Appalachian Entrepreneurial Development Program
Phone: (606) 368-6200
E-mail: rachelchilders@alc.edu