Project 5117 Provides Opportunities to Strengthen Jacksonville Economy
JACKSONVILLE, FL, Dec. 2, 2014 – To empower Jacksonville residents and businesses, Mayor Alvin Brown and the national nonprofit Operation HOPE announced today the launch of a new public-private initiative to expand economic opportunities in Jacksonville neighborhoods.
As a first step, Operation HOPE will offer neighborhood-based training and support to Jacksonville small business owners and entrepreneurs, including opportunities to access financing and improve credit worthiness through a better knowledge of money management.
Operation HOPE recently secured an EDA grant of $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand the HOPE Inside Small Business Empowerment Initiative (SBEI) in nine cities across the United States, including Jacksonville. The funding will be used for community-focused programs that teach the basics of banking, budgeting and borrowing, as well as introductory small business workshops, comprehensive twelve-week entrepreneurial training program courses, and individualized technical assistance, including access to capital and adult financial services credit and money management counseling.