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History: The Edge Connection
a.k.a Cobb Microenterprise Council and Cobb Microenterprise Center

Founding Partners: United Way of Cobb County; Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University; KSU Small Business Development Center; YWCA of Northwest Georgia; and Center for Family Resources.

1997–2001
History: October 1997, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta announced its implementation of microenterprise development programming as a strategy to alleviate poverty and provide employment for low to moderate income, under indicator #9, Economic Self-Sufficiency for funding support. United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta requested the support of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP), to assist with education and training for agencies and entities within metro Atlanta who desired to create microenterprise organizations. G-CAPP introduced microenterprise development to Georgia in 1996 with national leaders who were brought to Georgia to provide training and technical assistance to forge this economic development strategy.

October 1997, four community entities; Coles College of Business and its Small Business Development Center, Kennesaw State University, YWCA of NW Georgia, United Way of Cobb County and Center for Family Resources, received one year of training and technical assistance from Patricia Harris, Director of Programs at G-CAPP. This immersion technical assistance initiative produced one of the first community based microenterprise programs in the country, named, Cobb Microenterprise Council. The YWCA of NW Georgia served as the fiscal agent for the new organization from November 1998 to June 2001.

The founding funders are: United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Community Development Block Grant, Department of HUD, and Turner Foundation. The first organizational budget was $121,000. The Micro Loan Fund for the organization was capitalized with Community Reinvestment Act dollars from: SunTrust - $5,000, First Union - $5,000, Wachovia - $5,000 and Bank of America - $5,000; totaling $20,000.

The founding leaders are: Dr. Timothy Mescon, KSU; (Ret.) Colonel Sandy Boyce, YWCA of NW Georgia; CEO, Jeri Barr, Center for Family Resources; Dr. Carlotta Roberts, Director, Small Business Development Center; Edward Sabatino, Area Director, United Way of Cobb County; Craig VanDevere, Volunteer, United Way; and Jim Robinson, Volunteer, United Way. Patricia Harris served as the microenterprise expert and facilitator and became the founding Executive Director, November 1, 1998.

2001–2003
In July 2001, with the retiring of the founding partners as board of directors, the organization was named, Cobb Microenterprise Center. The founding partners assumed the role as advisors to the organization.

During 2002 and 2003, TEC Board of Directors and Staff created a new strategic direction for the organization. By offering in-depth, affordable entrepreneurial training and support for low- to moderate-income individuals, TEC has made great strides in eradicating the cycle of poverty and garnering national recognition for its strategies and successes.

During the fall of 2003, Connie Evans, a national microenterprise organizational consultant, provided tools and strategies that assisted TEC in creating a five year strategic direction business plan (FY 2003-2008) for the organization which included expansion for delivery of services with the emergence as a national SBA Women’s Business Center, feasibility of launching social enterprises in a business incubator and virtual office services, and the feasibility of launching a commercial complex kitchen to incubate catering and food related businesses.

2004–2007
During 2004 the Board of Director’s initiated a “GO” on the feasibility study to acquire additional space to launch the first phase of the social enterprise business incubator. During 2005 the Board of Director’s assessed the economic impact and services of the organization and realized that services had increased by 300% due to the awarding of the SBA Women’s Business Center and the Hewlett Packard Microenterprise Technology Resource Center and Lab, therefore, it was concluded that the organization needed to be re-branded to meet the needs of Metro Atlanta and its 19 county reach.

During the fall of 2005, the Board of Directors voted to re-brand the organization to The Edge Connection…empowering and developing Georgia’s entrepreneurs. On the programmatic side, the Board of Directors revisited the core business model and developed key indicators to measure the programs and service delivery units. Therefore, a three legged-stool approach to our delivery of services: training, technical assistance, and technology. The three T’s would become the cornerstone of the organization and how services and access to resources are conducted within the organization.

To move toward this level and fulfill its bold vision for the future, TEC must continue to pursue strategic growth and financial sustainability.

On August 19, 2005, CMC/TEC Board of Directors met in a day-long retreat to review and update the organization’s strategic plan, which was originally adopted for the fiscal year 2004 beginning July 2003. Connie Evans, an organizational consultant facilitated the retreat and updated the strategic plan based on outcomes from the previous year and recommendations from the Board of Directors and its Executive Director.

This Benchmark Report is a result of the Summary and Conclusions from the Strategic Plan Update FY 2006 and other organizational goals and objectives developed by the Executive Director.

The Summary Report Update FY 2006

Three significant implementation items emerged as a result of the updated strategic planning session conducted by the Board of Directors on August 19, 2005:

1. Rebranding of the organization
2. Development of new module in the curriculum focused on training client’s how to access capital
3. Monitoring and reporting on the key indicators selected

Additionally, the Executive Director is reporting on the following nine items that have resulted in significant social and economic impact:

4. Restructuring the organization
5. First Annual Gala and Award Event
6. Acquisition of space to launch the social enterprise business incubator and business support services
7. New and Enhanced Programs and Services
8. Social Enterprises: Commercial Complex Kitchen and Production Center
9. Financial Profile/Proposed Budget 2007
10. Strategic Partnerships
11. Community Leadership and Recognition
12. Legislative Agenda and Advocacy

During 2004 the organization become a Small Business Administration, Women’s Business Center (WBC); one of 90 centers in the United States. With this classification, the organization grew by 350% within its first year of becoming a WBC. The board of directors initiated a branding process after data outcomes reported the organization was serving 19 counties in Metro Atlanta and achieving economic impact of over $4 million dollars since inception.

The organization launched its new brand January 1, 2006: The Edge Connection…empowering and developing Georgia’s entrepreneurs.

Today The Edge Connection has a multitude of classes that target concept and start-ups businesses, development services for growth enterprises, access to capital through micro loan funds, loan funds, SBA lending, procurement, certification of women and minority businesses, and development workshops and seminars.

The organization has a budget of over $1M in philanthropy, earned income, donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteer support.


Current Programs at The Edge Connection:

  • Exploring Entrepreneurship – 6 hour entrepreneurial course for business feasibility.
     

  • Plan for Success – 12 week microenterprise business development program.
     

  • Advanced Business Services – 6 week advanced entrepreneurial education program for growth business, bankable business plans, and diversity supplier chain business strategiesLearn to Earn – 12 week program for inmates on work release in cooperation with Cobb County Service Board and Cobb County Sheriff’s Department.

    • Million Dollar Business Program – targeting growth businesses with potential of $1M dollars in revenue within 5 years.

    • Business Coaching – this program is a strategic partnership with Action Coach International, which targets growth and multi-million dollar business models.

    • Business Technology Services – technology education for business owners.

    • Financial Literacy – training and resources on managing budgets, credit, alleviating debt, investments, and retirement.

    • Business Incubator – on-site business incubation services for growth businesses.

    • Business Seminars and Workshop -- a variety of offerings monthly.


New Directions for 2008

  • The Edge Connection celebrates its 10th Anniversary and Award Gala on November 1, 2008, Marriott Marquis.
     

  • Capacity Building – TEC will expand its program services and offerings in 2008 to a new 30,000 square foot “green and sustainable” facility that will house the following:

    • Commercial Complex Kitchen and Production Center – 6-9 stations for chefs, organic growers and food related businesses with three shifts per day. The Production Center will provide access to assemble, bottle and package products for the market place.

    • Business Incubator – house 30 businesses with wrap around support services for admin, training, and consultation.

    • Market Place – a retail store to showcase and test market products.

    • Event Space – space for chefs to host events for their clients.

    • Office Space – space for organization staff, consultants.

    • Business Library and Resource Center – space for clients to utilize for research, study and access to technology.

    • Technology Lab – Hewlett Packard 19-seat technology lab for business technology training,

    • Opportunity to house Cox Family Enterprises – this resource will continue the business partnership with Coles College of Business and provide and provide a strategic alliance

 

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Copyright 2005-2008 The Edge Connection (Formerly: Cobb Microenterprise Center)