Cobb Microenterprise Center graduates benefit from Covad
Five graduates of the Cobb Microenterprise Center’s entrepreneurism program will receive cash…
Georgia (Sep 9, 2004) — Cobb Microenterprise Center graduates benefit from Covad
Terri Thornton
Abstract
Contact: Julie Rosenthal‚ JR Communications‚ 202−248−8449
Terri Thornton‚ Thornton Communications‚ 404−932−4347 or territhornton@mindspring.com
Five graduates of the Cobb Microenterprise Center’s entrepreneurism program will receive
cash grants and free services from Covad‚ a leading national broadband service provider.
The grants‚ which are part of the Covad Broadband Entrepreneur Program (CBEP)‚ will
be bestowed at the graduation Thursday‚ September 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the KSU Center.
The keynote speaker at the graduation will be Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam
Olens.
“Doing business over the Internet is essential these days‚ and the Covad grants will
be a huge help to our graduates‚” said Cobb Microenterprise Center Executive Director
and CEO Patricia Harris. “We expect the grants will make it easier for them to conduct
e−commerce‚ market themselves‚ improve customer service and perform many other much−needed
tasks.”
Each Covad award winner will receive $500 and one year of complimentary broadband
service (valued at more than $1000). The winning graduates and their companies are:
· Jacquelyn Swint − Jazzy J's Air Fresh'ners
· David Vogelpohl − Aristocrat Technical Services
· Karen Kimbrough − Kanydre‚ Inc.
· Zelma Kovacs − Zelmi LLC
· Faye Adams − Hey Young World
CBEP was created by Covad Communications Group‚ Inc. (OTCBB: COVD)‚ a leading nationwide
provider of integrated voice and data communications‚ as a national community outreach
program focusing on underserved low to moderate income microentrepreneurs‚ with special
emphasis on minority‚ women‚ and disabled entrepreneurs. Covad created the program
in collaboration with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) to provide
both monetary awards and Covad broadband services to local microentrepreneurs from
non−profit organizations who support micro−lending and entrepreneurship in Arizona‚
California‚ Illinois‚ Massachusetts‚ Michigan‚ New Mexico‚ Pennsylvania‚ and Tennessee.
In 2003‚ CBEP reached more than 95 minority‚ women‚ and disabled microentrepreneurs
from 10 non−profit organizations.
"Based on the success we had last year‚ we just had to expand the reach of the program‚“
said Charlie Hoffman‚ president and chief executive officer of Covad. "Covad recognizes
the opportunity for the microenterprise industry to accelerate its success and magnify
its business impact through the use of broadband."
SELF will also be considered to receive the "Covad Broadband Entrepreneur Program
of The Year Award." This award will be given to one of the local nonprofit organizations
responsible for the Covad program. The winner is eligible to receive a $5‚000 or $2500
award from Covad and be announced at the AEO Annual Conference next year. For more
information regarding the Covad Broadband Entrepreneur Program please visit www.covad.com/companyinfo/communityoutreach.shtml.
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About Covad
Covad is a leading national broadband service provider of high−speed Internet and
network access utilizing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. It offers DSL‚
T1‚ managed security‚ hosting‚ IP‚ dial−up services and bundled voice and data services
directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers‚ value−added
resellers‚ telecommunications carriers and affinity groups to small and medium−sized
businesses and home users. Covad broadband services are currently available across
the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased
by more than 57 million homes and businesses‚ which represent over 50 percent of all
US homes and businesses. Corporate headquarters is located at 110 Rio Robles‚ San
Jose‚ CA 95134. Telephone: 1−888−GO−COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com.
About Cobb Microenterprise Center
The Cobb Microenterprise Center‚ a nonprofit organization based at the Coles College
of Business at Kennesaw State University‚ offers in−depth entrepreneurial training
and support for low to moderate−income individuals. It has helped hundreds of people
improve their skills and obtain credit while attaining self−sufficiency by launching
their own businesses. More than 350 people have graduated from the program so far.
Seventeen people are in the current graduating class.
Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population exceeding 18‚000 from 129 countries. The third largest state university
out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
