NC Growth and Beaufort County posed a question to a STAR consulting team of Kenan-Flagler business students: How can the county better support startups and create a vibrant small business community? After conducting dozens of interviews with subject matter experts, Beaufort County stakeholders, and other rural community leaders, the STAR team addressed the underlying barrier to a more flourishing entrepreneurial environment: disconnected resources. Their recommendations were presented to a group of community stakeholders on May 5th (please click here to view their presentation). Their primary recommendation was the formation of an Entrepreneurial Council and several stakeholders agreed to join the Council. Other recommendations included hosting a resource forum, business plan competitions, and organizing pre-application regulatory meetings. NC Growth will continue to work with the County as they develop their plans.
This STAR project was a part of a larger cross-departmental effort at UNC-Chapel Hill to address needs in Beaufort County.