ROCK HILL—The York Technical College Foundation has announced that the college has been awarded a $30,000 grant from Citi Foundation that will strengthen its efforts to build a learning community for small businesses, entrepreneurs and the college's business students. Citi Foundation,  's North America Community Grants Program

"Entrepreneurship is a critical component of our historically resilient economy," said York Tech President Dr. Greg Rutherford. "It will be the innovation of small businesses that will add the majority of new jobs back to our economy in the future. We, along with our many other community partners, want to help jumpstart that innovation through learning about what works and what doesn’t from real entrepreneurs and establish a network of talent that can sustain each other through ups and downs of building a successful business."

During the past year, the York Tech Business Department and its Continuing Education Division have coordinated efforts to develop various programs to help existing and aspiring entrepreneurs and small business people. One example is the launch of the ENetwork (Entrepreneur Network), an educational and networking forum designed to bring together small business owners and entrepreneurs to learn about specific issues faced by today's businesses. The Citi Foundation grant will allow the college to expand this growing network in support of even more men and women interested in starting or growing their businesses.

Other initiatives the grant will support include educational programming such as Core Four Business Planning courses and Fast Trac Growth Venture courses designed to help small business owners expand their businesses in the smartest possible way. But the grant will also enable the college to host events designed to inspire, create awareness and recognize the good work of area business owners and those who are just starting out.

The "Expo of Entrepreneurs" will bring together business students and budding entrepreneurs with successful entrepreneurs to foster mentoring opportunities. And in the fall, the nationally-recognized "Extreme Entrepreneur Tour" will visit Rock Hill and a business plan competition will be announced.

"There have been 10 recessions since 1945 and there have also been 10 recoveries," said Rutherford. "Small businesses are extremely important to that recovery and subsequent expansion cycle. Many new companies are started during economic downturns."

About Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, Banamex, and Nikko. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

About Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where we work throughout the world. Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which helps individuals become economically self-sufficient; Small and Growing Businesses, leading to economic expansion and job creation; Education, which prepares young people for personal and professional success; Financial Education, which helps individuals make informed financial decisions; and the Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth while preserving the environment. In the U.S. and Canada, the Citi Foundation supports Community Development programs that help build and revitalize neighborhoods and Education programs that prepare students for college and careers. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.com/.

For more information, contact York Technical College Vice President for Development Dr. Ed Duffy at (803) 327-8012 or duffy@yorktech.com.

York Technical College . 452 S. Anderson Road . Rock Hill, SC 29730