HUNTINGTON -- Unlimited Future Inc. has received a $12,000 grant from JP Morgan Chase Foundation to support microenterprise development over a two-year period. UFI plans to use the fund to continue sponsoring the monthly Entrepreneurs' Cafe, a fundraising event that promotes start-up business with microgrants.

Each month at Entrepreneurs' Cafe events, three local entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to an audience. The audience then decides which entrepreneur will receive a microgrant and other prizes.

Unlimited Future also will partner with The Wild Ramp, a local food market, to provide business training and technical assistance to local farmers. Farmers will learn about cash flow projections to help them make better choices for the futures of their businesses. Farmers will also be invited to network with peers to share their experiences and suggestions with others.

The overall goal is to increase the capacity and revenue for local farmers to continue to grow and brand local products in the Tri-State. The Wild Ramp provides a market for more than 65 local producers within a 200-mile radius of Huntington and returns about $20,000 in monthly sales to the local economy.

The remaining funds will be used to promote Unlimited Future's ongoing classes and technical assistance programs, such as Business Planning for Profit, A+ Strategy Leadership, Business Plan Writing and other small business services.

Since 1997, Unlimited Future, Inc. has provided business incubator services and served as a resource center for entrepreneurs in the Tri-State area to start and grow successful businesses. UFI's clients include more than 130 currently operating businesses in the Tri-State area which employ over 300 people.

For more information about Unlimited Future's services, visit www.unlimitedfuture.org, or call 304-697-3007.

National Video

Submitted photo

From left to right: Aaron Smith and Jim Fitzwater of Chase Business Banking present a check to Ursulette Huntley, Gail Patton and Lauren Kemp of Unlimited Future Inc.

Purchase this photo