In a move to bolster small businesses, the Arlington Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has partnered with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, to launch a comprehensive support program for local entrepreneurs.

The application window for the inaugural cohort opens on June 4, 2024.

The new initiative will provide a select group of up to 18 Arlington business owners with the tools and knowledge needed to accelerate their company’s growth. Participants will engage in six detailed workshops covering critical areas such as business planning, sales and marketing strategies, social media utilization, financial management, and more. Additionally, each participant will benefit from three personalized mentoring sessions with a SCORE representative.

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of innovation, economic growth, and community strength,” said Bob Sifferman, district director of SCORE North Texas, in a statement. “The city and its EDC are leaders in growing their small business community, and SCORE is honored to partner with them in providing an in-depth cohort training session.”

SCORE, a nonprofit organization and resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), has helped over 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or (successfully) exit a business since its founding in 1964. According to the announcement, the organization leverages a network of more than 10,000 volunteers to offer free mentoring, resources, and educational programs nationwide.

“Arlington is a city of 400,000 residents, so we’re painting with a big brush to include and involve as many small business start-ups and prospective entrepreneurs as we can,” added Marty Wieder, executive director of the Arlington EDC. “This is one of several small business resources offered by the city.”

“SCORE’s cohort will point businesses to resources they need depending on the status of their enterprises and link them to mentors who have done something similar or owned a comparable business,” he said.

Applications for the program will be accepted from June 4 to June 28, 2024, with the cohort kicking off the week of July 22, 2024. For more information and to apply, go here.

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