Registration is now open for Cultivate US, a new business training program to support residents living within Franklin County and foreign-born new and emerging business owners or operators. It is a project of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Columbus Chamber), in collaboration with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion.

Cultivate US is the Columbus Chamber’s sixth program, available to members of the business community.

The program is expected to support 120 small businesses within Franklin County, businesses within the New and Emerging Citizen communities. These communities’ growth is substantial to the Columbus Region’s economic development.

“Cultivate US underscores our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive business environment,” said Don DePerro, President & CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

“By supporting new and emerging citizen-owned businesses, we’re not only enhancing the economic landscape but also strengthening our community. A major goal of the Columbus Chamber is to integrate these businesses into the Columbus Region ecosystem, ensuring they have the access to resources and connections needed for sustained success.”

Through this program, a Program Navigator will be hired to facilitate conversations and business resource navigation.

The program will provide support in four main categories including workforce development with young adults ages 16-24 and adults, business navigation, supplier connections, and support services.

The program will help new and emerging citizens in the Columbus Region’s business community create, maintain, and expand their businesses while addressing the challenges and barriers encountered by this community.

“We are thrilled to launch Cultivate US and provide tailored support to small businesses within our New and Emerging Citizen communities,” said Mallory Roth, Director of Programming at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

“Our goal is to help these businesses thrive by offering essential resources in workforce development, business navigation, supplier connections, and support services.”

The Columbus Chamber is the epicenter of the Columbus Region Business Community. Within our interconnected ecosystem, businesses unite to eliminate barriers to prosperity, creating a thriving environment for enterprises across the Columbus Region.

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