Springboard Grant Awarded
Springboard Grant Awarded
Cattaraugus-Allegnay Workforce Development Board One of Ten Organizations Selected
Jason Miller, CAWDB Executive Director accepting the big check! Photo / CAWDB
OLEAN - Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Development Board (CAWDB) was one of ten organizations selected for a Springboard grant. Springboard is a grant fund created by the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. A diverse group of organizations that support the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Western New York were named winners of this regional, innovative rapid prize competition launched this year. The winners were announced at an event held in Rochester in June at NextCorps to honor each group and award prize money ranging from $7,500-$25,000, with the amount awarded totaling $222,500 in this first of three rounds of funding.
Jason Miller, CAWIB Executive Director stated, “We (CAWDB) were awarded $25,000 for our small business on-the-job training program, which connects job seekers with employers and provides training costs for the first six to 10 weeks of employment. Out of 130 application, we were selected as 1 of the 10 winners.
Candidates went through a rigorous review process by five judges representing each region. The judging committee considered a variety of factors to determine awardees, including product or service design; ability to address current gaps; and a clearly defined target market. Judging criteria also included whether the idea, program, product, or service ultimately benefits entrepreneurs or strengthens the chances for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses successfully.
The program is open to for-profit or nonprofit applicants with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) that operate in the nine counties of Western New York. For comprehensive guidelines and other program details, visit www.springboardny.org.
“We are excited for our area businesses with this grant that will enable them to increase their workforce and offset some of the initial training costs involved with new hires,” said Miller. “We see this program as benefiting entrepreneurs and promoting business growth.”
CAWDB’s mission is to assist individuals with acquiring the skills needed by local businesses that allow them to accomplish two key goals - helping people find jobs and connecting businesses with the skilled workers they need. They are committed to providing individuals with meaningful lifelong employment opportunities and to assisting employers in obtaining a skilled workforce. For more information on CAWIB or their new business program, please call 716-806-0060.