Fayetteville State University, the historically Black educational institution in North Carolina, has announced the establishment of the Economic Development Administration University Center on campus. The new center established by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in collaboration with the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, will work to expand small business in the region near the university’s campus.
The new center will provide emerging entrepreneurs and existing small businesses with improved access to capital. Training and mentorship support programs will help reduce risk and prepare the entrepreneurs for success.
The focus will be on promoting entrepreneurial and small business growth for underserved populations in the six-county region neighboring Fayetteville State University. Participants will be required to complete coursework on key business success factors and will be required to perform market tests to confirm the viability of their proposed business models. Those that complete the training will be eligible for small loans to start or expand a business.
The center will be under the direction of Malika Mercer. She has been serving as program manager and academic advisor at the university. Mercer holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Fayetteville State University and a master of public administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
