Grand Challenge
TN Tech Center for Rural Innovation Partners with Local Business Resource Collective to Fight Rural Economic Injury Caused by COVID-19
The Center for Rural Innovation (TCRI) is proud to announce its partnership with the
Local Business Resource Collective (LBRC). The LBRC is a COVID-19 intervention taskforce
with a mission to save small businesses and jobs in the rural Upper Cumberland region.
The LBRC is a partnership between the TCRI, the Cookeville Small Business Development
Center, the Biz Foundry, and WCTE Upper Cumberland PBS. TCRI Director Michael Aikens
states, “We want the entrepreneurs of the Upper Cumberland to know the LBRC is a one-stop-shop
to receive no-cost resources to help their businesses survive and thrive throughout
the pandemic and beyond.”
One of the free resources the LBRC offers is themed weekly community Zoom calls where business owners can interact with subject matter experts from Tech and the community to discuss topics surrounding remote working strategies, continuity and contingency planning, legal matters, finance, and more. Additional resources include student internships, business coaching, mentorship, access to capital, and technical assistance. Stay tuned for more LBRC updates and follow this link to learn more about the TCRI! https://www.tntech.edu/tcri
