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C.R.E.A.T.E. Program  Bud Batcher - 610-384-7047 209 East Lincoln Highway Coatesville, PA 19320 Phone: 610-380-7045 Fax: 610-380-7048 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Coatesville Regional Entrepreneurial and Training Endeavor The CREATE Program What is the CREATE Program? The CREATE Program was developed by the City Of Coatesville to give for prospective entrepreneurs, as well as persons who have an established business, the opportunity to gain valuable and essential training in basic business skills. The CREATE program was established by the City of Coatesville as a means to invigorate the local economy of not only the City of Coatesville but that of the entire Coatesville region. The program, while financially backed by the City Council, is a cooperative effort between several governmental and private organizations including the City of Coatesville, the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center, the Chester County Economic Development Foundation, and the Chester County Development Council. The program is administered through the office of the Main Street Manager. The program consists of an intensive 18-week training program Classes are held one evening per week in a training facility located in downtown Coatesville with classes occasionally held in the Exton area. Instructors consist of faculty members of Kutztown University as well as a number of guest speakers and experts in the field of small business development. Topics covered during the training sessions include marketing research, legal aspects, budgeting, networking, pricing strategies, developing a business plan, the management team, and money sources. All necessary training materials are provided. The instructional materials include textbooks, manuals, handouts, and software programs. Upon completion of the course each participant will have drafted a comprehensive business plan. This plan is one of the critical documents necessary to pursue business financing. Participants have access to a mentor throughout the training and into the first year of their business operation. How do I enroll in the CREATE Program? Each applicant is required to complete a brief application giving basic information such as name, address, and phone number. Applicants are also asked to briefly describe the business enterprise they would like to establish. The program staff reviews each application and the applicant is invited to participate in a brief interview session with staff members. Participants are then assigned to a class. Classes are limited to 16 students per class. One series of classes is held during the fall semester with another being held during the spring. A $50 registration fee is required upon acceptance into the program and the signing of a program contract. This fee is refunded when all course requirements have been met including a completed business plan. An application may be obtained form the Main Street Manager’s Office or downloaded from this site. Completed applications should be mailed to or dropped off at the Main Street Manager’s Office. What are the requirements to successfully complete the CREATE Program There are several specific requirements for participants in the CREATE Program. These include:
The Main Street Loan Program
The Main Street Loan program has been suspended for the year 2006. A review of the program will be conducted in 2006 to determine if future funding will be available.
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