FAIRMONT–A program through Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) is seeking to support one business for a year.

The group, which assists in community and business development across small communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, is bringing back the Rural Business Innovation Lab (RBIL) for a third year.

While no one from Martin County has won yet, CEDA Development Specialist Celia Simpson said the program is looking to meet an issue common in areas like Martin County.

“A lot of people already want to start a business, but don’t have the support,” she said. “Especially if they’re looking to do a major expansion. Our role with RBIL is to help those businesses see what they can do to expand.”

Simpson said the application process is straightforward and open to all small businesses, but there is a specific definition CEDA is looking for with RBIL.

“Offers must have a minimum viable product and potential for national or international growth,” she said. “Say somebody wants to do freeze-dried smoothies. They started doing it locally, and they saw a lot of demand. Maybe they’ve shown some market potential, or they’re interested in looking at market potential. They could apply. Revenue needs to be between $10,000 and $5 million.”

With an ambitious goal like this, Simpson said the program includes plenty of perks to maximize efficiency and expansion success.

“When you’re a business owner, you have to be an expert in everything and that’s not really possible,” she said. “They try to modify their program to match the needs of the businesses in their cohort.”

This includes eight months of free one-on-one counseling, access to experts and professional consultants, membership in an entrepreneurial community and ability to apply for up to $5,000 in tech assistance grants.

Being able to offer tangible support instead of a purely cash-based program has gotten a positive reception on the CEDA and business sides.

“It’s invaluable,” Simpson said. “Building the regional networks, having a cohort to work with. Many entrepreneurs we talk to in our role talk about how lonely being an entrepreneur is. Having people going through the same process as you, building those friendships, has been beneficial.”

In terms of local demand for the program, Simpson said it’s possible some businesses think they are not ready to expand as the program envisions.

“Our role as people working in the community is telling people ‘I think you’re ready for this, your business is prepared to take this to the next step,'” she sad. “A lot of our connections have been a one-on-one relationship that says, ‘Hey, I think you could take this to a bigger scale.’ Give them that confidence boost.”

The deadline to apply is Feb. 24. For more information, visit https://www.cedausa.com/ruralinnovation/.