SEDCO RISE awards $242K to local entrepreneurs

4/25/2023 (Michael Hutchins, Herald Democrat)

The Sherman Economic Development Corp and other partners gave a boost to three small local businesses Friday during its annual RISE competition awards ceremony. The competition and incentive program seeks to give funding and support to young local businesses that show promise to expand with a little help.

This year saw the program give out more than $242,000 in grants and assistance to three fledgling companies that economic developers hope can grow, expand their employee bases and ultimately give to the community.

“The RISE challenge is an initiative to identify, develop and incentivize young companies that are based in Sherman and demonstrate a high potential to expand operations and positively impact our local economy,” SEDCO Chief Administrative Officer Ashton Bellows said.

The three finalists that received funding this year were Taylor’d Trends, Big Girl Spa Essentials and Jade United.

The RISE Challenge, also known as Raising Innovative Sherman Entrepreneurs, started in late 2020 when SEDCO added goals of incentivizing entrepreneurs and supporting local women- and minority-owned businesses. While the two initiatives are separate, this year’s RISE grants were all won by women or minority business owners.

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