ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Small business ownership can be an important means of building wealth and economic security within a family, as well as providing employment opportunities and other benefits for low- and moderate-income communities.

The Foundation prefers to support enterprise development programs that benefit many community members, or that are part of a comprehensive community development strategy.

Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, Inc. Since 1994 Heron has given general support grants to ACENET which provides business training, incubation facilities, access to capital, and strategic marketing for locally owned businesses like this bakery.

The Foundation supports organizations that: provide technical assistance and financing for small businesses, help to build networks and markets for entrepreneurs in distressed rural and urban communities, strengthen worker-owned enterprises and cooperatives, or foster commercial real estate development.

Please note that the Foundation does not support microenterprise development as a stand-alone strategy.