CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 10, 2021) – The City of Charlotte, in partnership with AvidXchange, is accepting applications to join the fourth AMP Up program cohort.
AMP Up is a business growth education program that helps small business owners increase their revenues, create jobs, and positively impact their community.
Program participants complete Interise’s award-winning and internationally recognized StreetWise ‘MBA’ curriculum and learn how to scale up their business model. The curriculum includes business development, mentoring, targeted training, and access to large corporations for contract and procurement opportunities. AvidXchange will partner with the city to lead seminars as part of the curriculum, sharing first-hand experiences and insights to help participants realize long-term success as entrepreneurs. At the conclusion of the program, business owners will know how to create and manage a customized, three-year strategic growth plan.
“The ongoing success of AMP Up is confirmation that we have a real need in Charlotte for improved exposure to business opportunities and increased access to educational and capacity-building resources,” said Workforce and Business Development Committee Chair Tariq Bokhari. “Teaming up now with AvidXchange will only propel this program to greater heights and empower our small businesses to grow and develop along with our city.”
Based on 2019 data collected by Interise, business owners who graduated from the program have reported 21% revenue growth and garnered $526 million in government contracting.
“Helping small business owners gain access to the resources they need for growth is crucial to enabling economic mobility in Charlotte,” said Michael Praeger, CEO at AvidXchange. “Together with organizations like AMP Up, we are supporting the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and helping Charlotte continue to be a place that fosters innovation.”
AMP Up is a seven-month program that will begin on May 20, 2021 with graduation on November 18, 2021.
Applications are open until April 30. Program eligibility requirements include:
- Ethnic minority business owner with 51% or greater ownership of the business.
- A minimum of $175,000 in annual gross revenues.
- Employ one other worker beside the business owner or owners.
- Been in business for at least two years.
The city will provide more information about the program at two open house sessions on Thursday, March 11, and Tuesday, April 13. Interested business owners can register for one of the open house sessions or apply for the program by visiting cltgov.me/ampup.
Business owners with questions about the program, eligibility requirements, or the application process can contact Jerrianne Jackson at 980-240-4825 or [email protected].
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About the City of Charlotte
The City of Charlotte provides services to more than 870,000 residents. The city’s priorities are workforce and business development; transportation, planning and the environment; safe communities; and great neighborhoods. Charlotte is No. 6 on U.S. News & World Report’s 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2020-21. For the latest news and updates about city government, visit the citywide newsroom at charlottenc.gov/newsroom, and follow @CLTgov on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Media contact:
Chelcee Coffman
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