From the Dallas South News Wire (The PLAN Fund)
The PLAN Fund, a nonprofit training and lending organization was awarded funds from the City of Dallas Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to offer business start up assistance to low and moderate income individuals who have not yet started a business but would like to. The purpose of the CDBG grant is to develop viable urban communities by expanding economic opportunities.
The $40,000 grant received from the City of Dallas will benefit citizens living in Dallas by providing increased opportunities for business ownership, job replacement and economic and community development .
“This grant fits nicely with what the PLAN Fund already offers,” says Anthony Pace, executive director of the PLAN Fund. “Our mission is to provide a way for low/moderate income individuals to achieve their dreams of supporting themselves through business ownership.”
It was estimated in 2006 that more than 390,000 Dallas County residents (16.5% of the population) live below the poverty line. This poverty line is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as $20,614 for a family of four. Since 1999, the PLAN Fund has made an impact on the lives of Dallas’ low income entrepreneurs by:
- Training more than 2,850 people in basic entrepreneurship skills such as budgeting, credit and savings, cash flow analysis, forecasting and marketing
- Providing 508 business loans with an average loan value of $1,500
To qualify for free business basics training, mentoring, seminars, and membership you must: not have filed a DBA or legal business certificate, meet low to moderate income guidelines established by Dallas County, and have a City of Dallas address. Training classes are held every month in English and Spanish at various locations throughout Dallas. Check the website www.planfund.org for dates and locations.
Join the PLAN Fund on March 27th (English) or April 10th (Spanish) from 9am to 6pm at 2801 Swiss Ave, Ste 120 in Dallas for a one day Business Basics Training class to help you jump-start your business. The class provides the key resources and information which is vital as you start and grow your small business. Call 214-942-6698 to find out if you qualify for free business start up training.
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