The Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce announced on March 1, 2024, that its Madera County Mountain Community Main Streets program has been selected for a significant entrepreneurial training and small business coaching initiative. This initiative is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem & Small Business Coaching Program, aimed at bolstering resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Oakhurst and the surrounding mountain communities.
California Main Street, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing downtowns and commercial districts through place-based economic development, is facilitating this program. Since its inception in 1986, California Main Street programs have collectively secured over $8.5 billion in public and private reinvestment, resulting in the creation of 34,940 jobs, the establishment of 7,049 new businesses, and the rehabilitation of 1,845 buildings.
A Collaborative Approach to Business Support
The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Program is designed to enhance the capacity of local business support organizations. By fostering collaboration among chambers of commerce, local governments, educational institutions, financial institutions, and community organizations, the program aims to create a stronger support system for small businesses.
Participation includes an in-person entrepreneurial ecosystem workshop, a series of virtual strategy sessions, and access to digital assessment tools for both organizations and entrepreneurs. Following this collaborative process, staff from Main Street America will prepare a customized report containing recommendations to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the mountain region.
The program also offers one-on-one business coaching to four selected Oakhurst area small business owners. This coaching aims to develop digital skills, strategic planning capabilities, and personalized growth strategies. To initiate this process, business owners will complete a brief online questionnaire detailing their goals, challenges, and vision. A professional business coach will then devise a tailored coaching plan based on this information, providing up to four individualized sessions.
Adam Olivares, executive director of the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed enthusiasm about the selection. “Being selected for this program is a tremendous honor and an exciting opportunity for our Chamber and our community,” he stated. “This opportunity will really highlight how our Mountain Community Main Streets program will help us better connect our local business owners with the tools and resources they need to thrive, while also fostering collaboration among the many organizations that share in supporting economic vitality.”
How to Get Involved
Interested individuals can obtain the application or gather more information about participating in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Program by contacting the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce at (559) 683-7766 or via email. This initiative represents a proactive approach to enhancing the business landscape in Oakhurst, underscoring the importance of community collaboration in driving local economic growth.
