The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office notified Cuesta College of its intent to award the college with a grant to support the Business Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College.

This initiative is one of 10 initiatives supported under the Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) program, which primarily supports community colleges that serve communities embracing the challenge to develop, sustain and advance their role in a global economy.

The Business Assistance Center (BAC) at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo applied for the $205,000 annual grant and is one of seven colleges in the state to receive it. Effective July 1, 2010, the center will change its name to the Business Entrepreneurship Center (BEC), and its focus will be to facilitate the success of business and entrepreneurship through partnership and collaborations with business, industry, education and government.

"I am very pleased to receive this notification especially since the new Business Entrepreneurship Center initiative in California is modeled after the Business Assistance Center program we created here at Cuesta College," said Israel Dominguez, director of the Business Assistance Center at Cuesta College.

"We will continue to offer the current services offered through our center and will now expand our reach to the entire region which includes San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties."

Cuesta College’s BEC will create special targeted projects and services to address the unique, small business needs of the region. It will provide advanced business technical assistance, research, plan and hold entrepreneurial conferences, workshops and seminars designed to provide information and tools to assist regional partners and their small business community.

"We are really fortunate to be honored by the Chancellor’s Office with this grant," said Dr. Ray Hobson, interim dean of instruction, workforce and economic development. "Community colleges are a strong partner in the economic development and recovery efforts of the state, and Cuesta College is a major player in that process. Not only does the college lead in the preparation of a quality work force, but through the BEC, provides assistance and training to business owners and operators to increase their success. Matching a quality workforce with job creation leads to a strong community and expands opportunities in the local area."