At the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), we believe that when rural communities thrive, the entire Central Valley grows stronger. Through funding from the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG), we’re working to empower small business owners in rural areas with the tools, training, and support they need to build sustainable businesses and create local jobs.
What Is the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG)?
CCT was awarded a $190,803 Rural Business Development Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), enabling us to provide more technical assistance through our Entrepreneurship initiative to small and emerging businesses in underserved rural areas! This program focuses on entrepreneurship training, community listening, and hands-on business development.
CCT’s entrepreneurship work in these communities has consisted of these two key phases to meet business owners where they are and help them take the next step forward:
- Listening Sessions: Bringing communities together to share challenges, identify needs, and build connections with local resource partners.
- Workshops: Creating tailored trainings based on community feedback. For example, when Kingsburg business owners expressed interest in improving their digital marketing, CCT brought in an expert to deliver practical, skill-building instruction.
Reaching Communities Across the Valley
So far, CCT has partnered with entrepreneurs in eight rural communities: Laton, Caruthers, Selma, Sanger, Reedley, Kingsburg, Fowler, and Parlier, with plans to expand into Dinuba, Cutler, Orosi, and Kerman. Each community has unique needs, but the mission remains the same: equip, empower, and transform.
Spice ‘Em Up BBQ Takes the Central Valley to the World Food Championships
One inspiring example is Spice ‘Em Up BBQ, a husband-and-wife team from Parlier who attended one of CCT’s entrepreneurship workshops in their community. Through the workshop, they gained clarity on their business plan, rediscovered their “why,” and learned how to manage and grow their operations. Their participation in LaunchPad, hard work, and newfound confidence recently led them to compete at the World Food Championships, representing Parlier and the Central Valley on a national stage!
Transforming Communities from Within
Gladys Martinez, CCT’s Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator, says the most rewarding part of this work has been connecting with community members and addressing the root causes of local challenges—then seeing the transformation unfold. Through CCT, small businesses are not only gaining skills and confidence but also creating jobs and opportunities right in their hometowns.
The Rural Business Development Grant is more than just a program; it’s a movement to empower rural entrepreneurs, strengthen local economies, and transform lives across the Central Valley.
