Businesses Launch with new local program

As the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center (IVSBDC) undergoes a transition that houses them under the County of Imperial, 11 community members were celebrated as the first graduating class of the Business Launch Academy Program at the Imperial County Board of Supervisors’ board room in El Centro Wednesday, April 27.

IVSBDC Director Jaysel Mendoza said the new program came about through the California Dream Fund, where all SBDC’s were selected to act as grant administrators for the program. IVSBDC launched two programs through this funding — the Business Launch Academy, which is geared toward new businesses, and the Business Financial Fitness program.

One of the requirements for the Business Launch Academy is that the business could not have been launched prior to July 1, 2019.