HandMade in America: Appalachian Women Entrepeneurs

[theHandpuppet]

Will cross-post to North Carolina group.

Appalachian women Entrepeneurs (AWE) is a very interesting and fairly new program that promises -- along with other community programs linked at the site -- to provide the citizens of western North Carolina with alternative and sustainable economies. There are a number of links at the site below to similar programs in NC.

Currently, there is an AWE exhibit at the I-26 West Welcome Center that will run through the end of December.

http://www.handmadeinamerica.org/awe.html
Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs Program

HandMade in America developed the Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program to support rural Western North Carolina women interested in creating or growing their small business.

The AWE program connects these women with one another, with resources, and to new markets, in a place where quality jobs are few. The project stemmed from the understanding that the Appalachian counties of WNC are home to a higher percentage of small businesses and farms than any other area of the state. Many of these rural entrepreneurs are women who are creatively fashioning their livelihoods around sustainable, place-based enterprises.

To help entrepreneurs overcome obstacles often encountered in rural areas, the program has developed women’s business networks in several communities throughout the region. These networks connect women engaged in similar entrepreneurial efforts and provide access to business support services the women might not be able to find, afford, or access without such networks.

For more information, links and information about membership, refer to the link provided above.