RISE29 Spring 2022 update

The RISE29 program continued its work in rural entrepreneurship and small business development during the Spring 2022 semester. Eighteen student interns were matched with seven small business clients in Beaufort, Hyde, Martin and Pitt Counties to develop recommendations to resolve key strategic and operational issues. These students helped their clients develop and implement plans for business expansion, human resource development, marketing and social media, and retention and sustainability. Two additional projects focused on examining the feasibility of a multi-county transportation system and economic development planning for the Town of Aurora. RISE29 interns contributed approximately 5,400 hours of assistance for their clients in the spring semester. Since starting in 2019, the RISE29 program has placed 140 interns with 48 regional clients. These students have worked more than 40,500 hours to help create or retain 76 jobs and launch 13 new microenterprises.

Additionally, the RISE29 leadership team used the spring semester to plan a second cohort of the RISE-Up Academy scheduled to start in mid-May. This program is focused on helping student entrepreneurs further develop and validate their business concepts. These students are connected with mentors and resource providers within the four RISE29 counties with the objective of launching new businesses in eastern NC. The RISE-Up Academy plays a critical role in developing entrepreneurial talent for our region, which is an important component of a comprehensive economic development strategy.

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• Miller School of Entrepreneurship