Gov. McAuliffe awards Virginia Western Community College $40,000 grant

RAMP gets $40,000 state grant to develop entrepreneurial classes

ROANOKE, Va. – If you're interested in learning how to become an entrepreneur but don't want to give up your current job can now pursue their interest at Virginia Western Community College, thanks to a $40,000 state grant.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe awarded the state grant to support the development of entrepreneurial classes at the Regional Acceleration and Mentoring Program, known as RAMP, in downtown Roanoke.

The goal is to encourage small business development and job creation.

RAMP innovation officer Samantha Steidle is excited about how this grant will help broaden its reach to a growing community of entrepreneurs.

“We are so excited about the opportunity that this will provide to students of all ages. This will give them the opportunity to learn how to transition from being a full-time worker to going out on their own,” Steidle said.

The money is one of seven Building Entrepreneurial Economics grants awarded for projects across Virginia.