The Entrepreneurship Center @ CTI was recently awarded a highly competitive U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) PRIME Grant and is one of only two organizations to be awarded in New England. PRIME funds will be utilized on aiding small businesses To spread the knowledge of the 5 essential functions of the business rubric: Management, Marketing, Finance & Accounting, Info Technology, and Operations.
The Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME) is a grant program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support nonprofit organizations that help low-income entrepreneurs get financing to establish and expand their small businesses by providing direct technical assistance, or provide capacity-building training for other organizations that provide capital to underserved small businesses. The PRIME grants range from $75,000 to $250,000, and typically require at least 50 percent in matching funds or in-kind contributions .
The E-Center will establish partnerships with community organizations and will offer curriculum in the many different languages spoken in Lowell in their respective communities. Together with our partners we will identify and assist where needed.
For more information, please fill out the SBA Prime Intake form prior to speaking with us
Local Organizations/Partners
Latinx Community Center For Empowerment (LCCE) – LCCE is a non-profit that promotes the socio-economic development of the Latinx community through social programs that identify, cultivate, and strengthen their potential as community assets.
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) – In 1984, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association was founded to help alleviate these gaps and provide support to the Cambodian communities in the Greater Lowell as well as other areas in the US. Our services range from language translation to assisting with food and shelter resources to organizing community events that bring people together. We believe that by providing the necessary resources and support, individuals can achieve their fullest potential and create fulfilling lives in their new home.
The African Community Center of Lowell (ACCL) – The African Community Center of Lowell (ACCL) was founded in August 2016. From working at the then African Assistance Center of Lowell and the International Institute of New England (IINE Lowell), Founder and Executive Director Gordon Donkoh-Halm, an immigrant himself, knows first-hand the significant hardships involved in trying to adapt in a different environment. There is the language barrier and a general loss as to where to go for basic services and ethnic foods, as well as not knowing where to go to offer one’s services to the new community.
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) – Our mission is to improve the lives of Portuguese speakers in Massachusetts and help them become contributing, active participants in American society while maintaining a strong ethnic identity and a sense of community.
THRIVE – THRIVE empowers communities to welcome and support our neighbors transitioning from incarceration. THRIVE envisions a world where wholeness and justice replace cycles of incarceration and oppression—a world where communities THRIVE.
MassHire Lowell Career Center – The MassHire Lowell Career Center is part of the Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center System serving the communities of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough and Westford. The Lowell Career Center operates under the direction of the City of Lowell and is chartered by the MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board. Through this model, local employment and training services have been consolidated to build a strong workforce development system.
Ani Vong | SBA PRIME Coordinator
Meet Ani, a seasoned professional with a passion for nurturing small businesses and empowering entrepreneurs. With a robust tenure at The E-Center @ CTI since January 2021, Ani wears multiple hats as a Small Business Coach, SBA PRIME Coordinator, and a successful small business owner. Her firsthand experience in entrepreneurship equips her with an insightful understanding of the intricate challenges and triumphs faced by individuals venturing into the business world. Ani’s dedication and expertise make her a beacon for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike, providing invaluable guidance rooted in real-world experience.
