The Charleston Area Alliance will plant the seeds of success for up to 20 budding area businesses in the year ahead through GROW, a new initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship in the Kanawha Valley. GROW will be an annual training program that supports all levels of entrepreneurs.

The program, which will break ground in August 2012, will offer sustained training, individual coaching and peer feedback to Kanawha Valley entrepreneurs who have been in business for less than a year and who seek to expand their network and gain insight from experienced and successful area business people.

The first GROW class will be limited to 20 individuals. Entrepreneurs must meet eligibility requirements, submit a completed application and commit to one year of engaged participation.

Deadline for applications is August 1, 2012.

Get started today by completing the application found at: http://www.charlestonareaalliance.org/shared/content/GROW_Application.pdf

The 12-month program will offer entrepreneurial education, support and network building through:

- Educational courses led by University of Charleston MBA professors and successful regional entrepreneurs; – One-on-one meetings with business coaches from the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC); – Entrepreneur peer group meetings facilitated by a SBDC business coach.

GROW members will also receive access to free consulting from business professionals in an array of fields including legal, accounting, banking, graphic design, and human resources.

Tuition for the program is $200, which includes a complimentary one-year membership to the Alliance ($365 value).

Completed applications should be emailed to: SRomano@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org; sent by fax to (304) 304-4275.