GEM, Growing Entrepreneurs Marion, small business seminars are sponsored by the McDowell Technical Community College Small Business Center in partnership with the Marion Business Association and the McDowell Chamber of Commerce. The series of courses on "How to Start a Business" includes topics on how to write a business plan, marketing and advertising, insurance, legal business structures, understanding small business financials, credit, customer relations and more.

GEM class 2021
Freddie Killough, the Executive Director for the Marion Business Association, leads the classes which include local small business entrepreneur guest speakers who share their first hand experiences.  Speakers include attorneys, CPA's, small business loan reps, and local small business owners.  Program completers have the opportunity to apply for start-up expense GEM Reimbursable grants following grant guidelines.  Based on funding, GEM grants are provided by the Marion Business Association and the McDowell Chamber of Commerce.   

To request more information or to sign-up for free small business counseling, face-to-face and/or online courses, and resources contact Terry Valentino, MTCC Small Business Center Director, at 652-0634.