Scholarships available for FastTrac Program

The FastTrac Growth Venture, an initiative of the renowned Kauffman Foundation, begins Monday, June 8, at the Hyatt Place Coconut Point in Estero.

FastTrac Growth Venture is a 10-week, three hour per week opportunity for participants to focus on improving and growing all aspects of their businesses. Attendees explore the essential tools of small-business success, including understanding financial information and creating affordable marketing plans. The program also offers guidance on ways to focus, bootstrap, plan, and strategize to improve profits and grow sales.

The program cost is $650 and two people from the same business may attend for a single tuition. Scholarships are available for a 50 percent tuition reimbursement. Participants must pay the full tuition at the beginning of the program, but upon request, attendance at eight of the 10 sessions, and completion of a business plan, participants can receive a 50 percent scholarship. The reimbursement is awarded at graduation; if the participant wishes to claim it (95 percent of FastTrac graduates have voluntarily returned their scholarship award to be reused by future participants).

The tuition reimbursement scholarship request form is available online at www.FastTracOfFlorida.org.

The summer program will be facilitated by Dr. Beth Hagan, a national master facilitator for FastTrac programs. For additional information about the benefits of this program, call 947-8085 or visit www.FastTracOfFlorida.org.