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Augusta Technical College Foundation receives Grant from Bank of America

by Kimberly Holden

Posted on Sep 09, 2024 at 10:00 AM

For Immediate Release

Bank of America logo to the left of the Augusta Technical College logo

Original Press Release | AugustaCEO Article

Augusta Technical College Foundation receives Grant from
Bank of America

Augusta, GA - September 9, 2024

L-R: Julie Langham, Vice President, Economic Development, ATC; Ora Parrish, Marketing President, Bank of America; Marissa Smith, SVP, Marketing Executive, Bank of America; Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President, ATC; Cheryl Ciucevich, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, ATCThe Augusta Technical College Foundation is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 grant by Bank of America to invest in Accelerate Augusta, a microenterprise center in downtown Augusta.

Accelerate Augusta, situated at 600 Broad Street in Augusta, is poised to be the community's go-to resource and training center for small businesses. A partnership between the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta and Augusta Technical College will serve as a business-building partner and a vital link to business space for viable enterprises.

The microenterprise center will offer a range of services, including mentorship, financial planning, and access to capital, to aid startups and early-stage companies in their growth and success. Small businesses and entrepreneurs will be provided with the necessary resources for training, acquiring finances, and accessing capital to start, operate, grow, and maintain a business.

Richard Green,CEO Tech 4 Success, a Service-Disabled Veteran owned small business specializing in electronics recycling, understands first-hand the need to support Augusta’s small business community with Accelerate Augusta.

Tech 4 Success faced both challenges and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially impacted by supply chain disruptions from China, Green moved to a smaller storefront in March 2020 to reduce costs. With in-person business limited, he relied on his eBay store but struggled financially. However, as demand for computers and repairs surged, Green expanded into computer repair and security camera installations. Despite early setbacks, his business thrived, demonstrating the importance of adaptability for downtown Augusta businesses during the pandemic.

Green participated in post-pandemic focus groups that helped launch the incubator Accelerate Augusta. Covering topics like funding, market research, consumer demand changes, and insurance, Green believes that Accelerate Augusta will create a space for people to share experiences, engage in meaningful dialogue, and access resources. According to Green, “Accelerate Augusta will give small business leaders a better chance to succeed.”

Bank of America's investment in Accelerate Augusta will support small businesses and entrepreneurship programs, as well as scholarships for eligible businesses. “Partnering with Augusta Technical College to address important issues like employment is part of our commitment to creating sustainable change in Augusta,” said Ora Parish, President, Bank of America Augusta-Aiken.

“Investing in Greater Augusta nonprofits demonstrates how Bank of America is taking action to provide the resources and support needed to help build thriving communities long-term.”

“This center represents a confluence between a public college leading the way in workforce development and a municipal agency committed to business development. We are thrilled that Bank of America will assist Accelerate Augusta as it strives to create a pipeline for all small businesses in our region,” said Cheryl Ciucevich, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the Augusta Technical College Foundation.

L-R: Julie Langham, Vice President, Economic Development, ATC; Ora Parrish, Marketing President, Bank of America; Marissa Smith, SVP, Marketing Executive, Bank of America; Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President, ATC; Cheryl Ciucevich, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, ATC

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About Augusta Technical College

Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that provides academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, student support, economic development, and adult education services to its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties) at a competitive financial value. Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. For more information, visit augustatech.edu.

 

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  • Economic Development
  • Accelerate Augusta
  • Bank of America

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