GENESEO, N.Y., Feb. 15, 2023 – February 11-18 marks National Entrepreneurship Week and Livingston County is proud to recognize those that have turned their ideas into reality throughout our communities.
First celebrated in 2006, National Entrepreneurship Week is a congressionally-chartered initiative that takes place annually each February. The week is a time to celebrate and recognize the core values of diversity, inclusion, equity, education and collaboration – all of which define the entrepreneurial spirit.
Through its Office of Economic Development, the County has a long-standing and successful history of partnership with local entrepreneurs to assist them with items ranging from start-up assistance, training, workshops detailing how to become a destination or how to improve your online presence. Furthermore, the County has multiple partnerships with local business development centers, chambers of commerce, regional economic development councils and other important entities that can help new and existing business thrive.
In addition to providing businesses with various resources, the County also offers numerous funding initiatives designed to support local growth from the ground up. Through its First Impressions and Dream-O-Vate programs to its Extreme Makeover: LivCo Edition initiative, the County and Grow LivCo are committed to helping businesses succeed.
One of its more successful developments, the Dream-O-Vate program is a scalable and replicable initiative developed by the Livingston County Economic Development Office that encourages entrepreneurs to apply and compete for the chance to open a storefront business and earn a coveted business start-up benefits package designed to help turn their dream into a reality.
The program and its goals will take a big step forward in 2023 and beyond after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand secured $500,000 in federal funding to support this County-led initiative focused on the creation, growth and advocacy for small businesses.
The Dream-O-Vate program aims to recruit new businesses while also assisting existing businesses that plan to significantly expand or branch into an additional business concept. As a result, the program has improved the economic climate for all area businesses through increased resident and tourist traffic.
Described as a game-changer for small businesses, Dream-O-Vate provides training, funding and the essential resources and tools needed to successfully open businesses. Learn more about the County’s small business advocacy and the Dream-O-Vate initiative by visiting Grow LivCo’s official website.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is comprised of more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.