Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Program for Entrepreneurs to Be Honored

Those involved with an innovative program to teach people how to start their own businesses say they know they have a good thing going. Now, they’re getting some recognition.

The Antelope Valley Local Development Corp. will receive a business partnership award to acknowledge its work with Antelope Valley College, the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and several other organizations that have made the Entrepreneurial Partnership Program a success.

The award will be presented Feb. 9 by California Community College Economic Development Network in Los Angeles.

The partnership program was formed in 1992, resulting in the establishment of 17 new businesses in the Antelope Valley as well as the expansion of three others, according to program organizers. They estimate that as many as 45 new jobs have been created.

Vern Lawson Jr., executive director of the Development Corp., said the award is “an opportunity to have a little validation of a community effort.”

Lawson said he believes it will be small businesses that pull California out of the recession, making the entrepreneurial program all the more important.

The community college network, known as EDNet, each year presents one partnership award in each of seven areas, including small-business programs, international trade and environmental technologies.

Anyone who worked with one of the 106 community colleges in the state on issues such as job retention or work-force development is eligible for an award.

In a letter to Lawson informing him of the award, California Community College Chancellor David Mertes wrote: “We appreciate your commitment to excellence and your support of this consortium effort focused on improving the small business climate in Antelope Valley.”