Community Business Academy
An experiential and interactive learning program designed for the entrepreneur and small business owner who wants to build strong foundations of success for their business.
Starting and running a business can be challenging and overwhelming.
The Greater Freeport Partnership Community Business Academy is designed for current and prospective owners of small businesses to develop the skills and knowledge base to build a solid foundation for success of their businesses.
The Partnership knows that helping to create and support a strong entrepreneurial environment is an important way to support the economic vitality and growth of Freeport and Stephenson County.
Register for an information session
Info sessions are mandatory for participation in the community business academy.
Wednesday, July 20 at 6 pm, virtual – Register Here
Tuesday, August 9 at 6 pm, virtual – Register Here
Knowledge of financials, legal structures, insurance and more to safeguard a new business
A network of support and accountability
Business plan development to use as a roadmap to attract funders
Tools to get you started on a new business venturemap to attract funders
Timeline of Courses
Info sessions are mandatory for participation in the community business academy
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- July 20, 6 pm, virtual meeting
- August 9, 6 pm, virtual meeting
- August 19: CBA Applications are due.
- August 30: Acceptance to the CBA sent to participants.
- September 6: CBA Orientation/Kick-off Event in-person at the Partnership office, 6 pm (110 W. Main Street Freeport).
- September 13: Academy begins, held virtually, 6-9 pm
- September 20: Academy session
- September 27: Academy session
- October 4: Academy session
- Checkpoint – Optional homework help, exact date TBD
- October 11: Academy session
- October 18: Academy session
- October 25: Academy session
- November 1: Academy session
- Checkpoint – Optional homework help, exact date TBD
- November 8: Academy session
- November 15: Academy session
- November 29: Academy session
- December 6: Academy session (final class)
- December 13: Academy Graduation (participation optional, but encouraged)
Key Industries
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Blog Feed
Partnership Cash for the holidays! November 20, 2024 The Greater Freeport Partnership continues to support the popular Partnership Cash program for the holiday season and you can’t afford to miss out. Partnership Cash can be spent at over 50 local merchants throughout Freeport and Stephenson County. Partnership Cash is a great way to buy for friends, employees, teachers, and others and be sure the dollars stay with local […]
November commemorates Native American Heritage Month and the impact of Native culture in our communities. November 8, 2024 The Greater Freeport Partnership is committed to promoting, equity, celebrating diversity, and creating a culture of belonging in Freeport and Stephenson County. November commemorates Native American Heritage Month and the impact of Native culture in our communities. Kim Sigafus McIver is an award-winning author, speaker and Illinois Road Scholar on Native culture and history. She is a member of the […]
Networking is Storytelling October 29, 2024 As I have been talking with companies to schedule Business After Hours or Rise n’ Shine networking sessions in 2025, it is gratifying to hear how many businesses are interested in sharing their stories at these events. Telling your story is an important element of success for a business. Granted, for most businesses, the people who show up at a […]
When we say Partner, that means You October 24, 2024 In an organization that has “partnership” in its name, it is no wonder we like making friends. But when using the word “partner,” we aren’t just talking about the noun meaning the people and organizations we are thrilled to work with, we are also talking about the verb – the action of coming together toward a common goal for the […]