Business Coaching Program for OTC Organizations

Businesses and non-profits in Otter Tail County can apply to the new Business Resilience Coaching Program from March 1 to March 25. The program will provide free coaching and training to make organizations more resilient to face and overcome future challenges. The program will also offer competitive matching grants for selected organizations to “make it happen” and implement ideas identified during coaching sessions.

The coaching program is possible thanks to a Small Business Partnership Grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center (WC SBDC) received the grant and Otter Tail County was a partner on the grant award. Additional program dollars were funded by American Rescue Plan funds that Otter Tail County received.

All businesses and non-profits that apply will have the opportunity to work one on one with local advisors or in small group training to assess their organizations’ current plans and operations. Coaching can cover but is not limited to, technology, finances, social media marketing, business planning, and succession planning.

Up to 10 selected organizations per application round will also have access to matching “make it happen” grant funds of up to $2,000 per organization. Grant funds received shall be used to continue work with a local advisor and implement ideas identified in the coaching and training sessions. Otter Tail County is anticipating they will offer three application rounds over the next year, depending on grant funding available.

Information about the Business Resilience Coaching program can be found at ottertailcountymn.us/biz-coaching. The first round of applications opens Tuesday, March 1 and closes Friday, March 25 at 4:00 pm. Additional rounds will be announced in summer 2022. Reach out to Sarah Schake at [email protected] or 218-998-8722 for questions about the program.