Sanford’s RISE (Real Investment in Sanford Entrepreneurs) program has been featured on a statewide podcast about municipal issues.
Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce President Susan Gomez and Downtown Sanford Inc. Director Kelli Laudate appeared on an episode of the Municipal Equation podcast Thursday to discuss the program, which helps local entrepreneurs launch small businesses. Also appearing on the episode were Mayor Steve Little of Marion, N.C. and Freddie Killough, who oversees Marion’s GEM (Growing Entrepreneurs Marion) program, upon which RISE was based.
The podcast tells the story of how Marion got GEM off the ground, and how Sanford leaders replicated it in the form of RISE. Sanford later went on to send financial support to Marion’s GEM program in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when most dollars flowing into that city were aimed at supporting other recovery efforts. Listen to the full episode here.
Municipal Equation is a podcast of the North Carolina League of Municipalities.