1st Row: Azeb Richardson, Chamondia Moten, Sarah Jones, 2nd Row: Elaine Chafin, Andrew Gordon, Abigail Gordon, Zenario Shuler, Debra Atkinson The Community Development Corporation (CDC) of Southwest Georgia held its second class for CDC Scholars. Six Miller County eleventh grade students were chosen to participate in a training program funded through a grant awarded to the Community Development Corporation of Southwest Georgia (CDC) from the Rural Housing and Economic Development Program. The classes were an effort to give training and guidance in assisting these students in possibly starting businesses in Miller County in the future.

Sarah Jones, Chamondia Moten, Azeb Richardson, Andrew Gordon, Zenario Shuler, and Abigail Gordon were chosen for this training and spent their last four days of summer vacation in class.

The Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED) Program realized that small rural communities have difficulty enticing their young people back home after college or these students must leave their community in order to find a job. So, RHED agreed to fund a program to assist fifteen students over a period of three years in training should they want to start a future business in their own community. Classes were held at the Family Resource Center - Monday through Thursday. Ms. Latoya Cutts from the Small Business Development Center from the University of Georgia spoke with them on how to start a new business. Ms. Lisa Donalson from the Department of Labor spoke with them on completing job applications, developing resumes and job interviews. Ms. Karen Kimbrel spoke with them on marketing and Ms. Dot Wainwright spoke on customer service. Ms. Debra Atkinson, CDC, gave training on communication, conflict resolution, leadership qualities, stress management, and problem solving. Ms. Elaine Chafin, CDC, gave training on financial matters that included credit card dos and don'ts, checking and savings accounts, the importance of high credit scores, and loan procedures. The students also heard a presentation from Mr. Kelvin Hallmon. Mr. Hallmon presently has a business located in the CDC Small Business Complex. He gave the students insight into opening their own business with regards to his experience through this process.

The students chosen will be in the 11th grade this year and the CDC will routinely contact these students throughout their next two years of high school to assist with direction and any questions that could arise in the student's course towards high school graduation and to offer further training towards possibly starting a business. There are plans to offer scholarship funds to assist them with technical or college training in their endeavors with the idea that they may one day open a small business in Miller County.

The 2007 CDC Scholars, which included Cory Whitaker, Michael Bailey, Allie Christian, and Christopher Williams, also attended the Wednesday morning class. The CDC has presently graduated ten CDC Scholars within the program.

Ms. Atkinson, CDC Executive Director, stated that the students were very receptive to the training even to the extent that when classes were over everyday at 3:00, they were not ready to leave. They discussed their interest in starting businesses such as a sporting goods store, a pet care facility, optometry, book store, welding, and physical therapy.

The students were given a tour of the CDC Small Business Complex and discussion was held as to their possible inclusion within the Complex to start their own business in the future.

It is the hope of the CDC to offer direction to these students in possibly fulfilling dreams of owning their own business, as well as assist in the economic growth of Colquitt and Miller County through entrepreneurial training and the creation of new businesses.