MERIT Center:

How the Program Works

The process of building new programs:

Diagnostic: First we identify problem areas in the community by holding meetings and forums with local residents and officials. This allows the community to voice their opinions and concerns about issues that affect them and their business environment. Rarely do the people in these areas have the power to express themselves in such a manner. We also visit the community members personally and get to know the area first hand before the initiation of the program.

Planning: We create a strategy with the community to address the major issues that are restraining local economic development. At this stage we identify the main program objectives, methodologies and resources needed.

Programming: We integrate the strategy into our program and course offerings. We establish a timeline for the project, a curriculum for the courses and assignments for our staff.

Administration: At this point our staff implements the strategy with the overview of our team of local experts. This management team is in charge of ensuring that the project is meeting objectives and deadlines while also adapting to any unexpected changes.

Our program objectives are as follows:

• Prepare individuals with skills necessary for the creation of new microenterprises
• Expose potential entrepreneurs to the value of credit as a business tool
• Teach how to manage personal and business finances
• Train business owners to run their operations at optimal efficiency
• Improve the quality of services and products offered by microenterprises and small business owners
• Increase the productivity, quality and efficiency of businesses in order to reduce costs and boost profits
• Identify markets for new and current products of microentrepreneurs
• Generate the creation of new jobs through the growth of microenterprises

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