Submitted by Johnston Community College Small Business Center
SMITHFIELD — The Johnston Community College (JCC) Small Business Center has received a grant from Truist Foundation to launch Rural Spark, an initiative designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and strengthen economic opportunity in Johnston County’s rural communities.
Although Johnston County continues to experience significant growth in its urban areas, many rural communities face persistent economic challenges, including limited access to capital, business training, mentorship, financial literacy resources and digital technology.
Rural Spark was created to address these barriers by providing practical education, individualized support and access to funding for underserved entrepreneurs. Grant funding will support the REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) Entrepreneurial Pitch-It Program, an entrepreneurship training model that will serve up to 20 aspiring business owners.
Participants will receive hands-on business education, one-on-one counseling through the JCC Small Business Center and opportunities to compete for microgrants to help launch their businesses in rural areas of the county.
The initiative is designed to increase business starts, create jobs, retain local talent and strengthen the long-term economic vitality of Johnston County’s most underserved communities.
“Entrepreneurship has the power to transform lives and strengthen entire communities,” said Suzanne Ross, Director of the Small Business Center at Johnston Community College. “Through the Rural Spark initiative, we are equipping aspiring business owners with the knowledge, mentorship and resources they need to turn their ideas into successful businesses. We are grateful to the Truist Foundation for supporting the potential of our rural communities and helping make these opportunities possible.”
“Our purpose at Truist is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and that starts by helping people pursue opportunities that can strengthen their financial future,” said Steve Neal, Truist’s Triangle Market President. “Through Rural Spark, Johnston Community College is expanding access to entrepreneurship resources and support for rural residents, and we’re proud to support this effort through the Truist Foundation.”
The Rural Spark initiative aligns with Truist and Truist Foundation’s commitment to building better lives and communities by expanding economic mobility. By combining entrepreneurial education, mentoring, financial capability training and access to seed funding, the program will help participants build successful businesses while contributing to a stronger rural economy.
For more information about the Rural Spark initiative or the JCC Small Business Center, contact the Johnston Community College Small Business Center.
