New FastTrac course open to artist entrepreneurs

The city of Columbia is accepting applications for the FastTrac Growth Venture 2016 class, a course that provides hands-on, intensive instruction to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to manage and grow a successful business. The class meets on Tuesdays Jan. 12 through March 15, 2016, from 6 – 9 p.m at the Midlands Techinical College Northeast Campus, located at 151 Powell Road, Columbia. Class size is limited to 15 participants.

FastTrac Growth Venture helps existing entrepreneurs:

• Make critical decisions about the business vision and strategy;
• Investigate next-stage growth and opportunity;
• Plan for strategic growth;
• Build and maintain a competitive advantage;
• Lead with clarity; and
• Maximize cash flow for future profitability.

The cost is $825, however, the city of Columbia will pay $500 of each participant’s fee. The $325 paid by participants covers registration, books, networking, and lifetime access to resources available from the Kauffman Foundation.  Participants will also receive a free membership to the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, valued at $500.

(Note: Artists may be eligible for a South Carolina Arts Commission Quarterly Grant to help pay for the FastTrac course. The next Quarterly Grant deadline is Nov. 15, 2015 for projects or professional development beginning after Jan. 1, 2016. Contact your discipline coordinator for assistance before applying for a grant.)

Find out more about FastTrac, and reserve your seat by contacting Angelo McBride at aamcbride@columbiasc.net as soon as possible.

The city of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities has partnered with Midlands Technical College for more than six years to provide FastTrac Growth Venture to Columbia businesses.