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Corporate Partnership

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Corporate Partner University Partners

Welcome to CARA

Explore Resources Provided By CARA

Get the resources and tools you need to succeed, from workshops to access to co-working spaces to let your creativity flow.

Resources

Small Business Acceleration Center

Join a diverse network of local leaders, gain access to resources and support, and work together to strengthen the local business community.

Small Business Owner

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, CARA provides the resources, connections, and support you need to succeed. From networking events and educational workshops to financing assistance and mentorship opportunities, we're here to help you thrive.

Chamber of Commerce

We can help you grow your chamber membership by providing content and tools that your businesses need to grow.

Corporate Partnership

Building the next generation of small business vendors and subcontractors is essential for the future of corporations and large companies.

About Us

Empowering Economic Development in Central Alabama

Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance?s (CARA) mission is to increase economic development capacity for urban and rural communities, existing micro and small businesses, and community stakeholders by providing professional educational programs that create sustainability. In 2015, CARA began as a volunteer effort with the help of small business owners and community stakeholders. In Phase One, CARA focused on minority and women owned businesses in low to moderate income areas across the western region of Jefferson County.

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Donate now

Help us empower local businesses and strengthen our community

At CARA, we rely on the support of generous individuals like you to help us achieve our mission of promoting economic development and enhancing the quality of life in Central Alabama. Your donation can help us provide critical resources and support to small businesses

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Testimonials

Success Story of Small Business Owners

Here are some inspiring success stories of small businesses that have benefited from CARA?s support and resources. Read on to learn how CARA helped these businesses achieve their goals and grow:

CARA has bridged the gap to bring us resources that would be either challenging to obtain; or when we gain access to the resources, it could be too late. The resources that we receive as a small business through this organization are immeasurable, and the timing of their program is fundamental to our success in navigating this pandemic.

Smith & Associates Enterprise LLC.

Joseph Smith

The Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance Business Accelerator Program has helped me and my business Delightful Cookies & Treats on so many levels, I can?t even begin to count--- but I will do my best!?First of all, I was exposed to so much rich and powerful business information from highly credentialed instructors. Secondly, I had the pleasure of sharing space with some of the most creative individuals who were friendly, kind, and supportive. Thirdly, I made so many beautiful connections with awesome individuals who have become not just acquaintances, but lifelong friends. And finally, the leadership of this program is top-notch. These are individuals who support, coach, cheer, encourage, and most of all care about you, not just as a business owner, but you as a whole individual.

Delightful Cookies and Treats

Pamela A. Dobbins, CEO and Founder

?"The CARA Accelerator program has helped to expand my business in many ways. The advice and instruction that I received from the mentors and instructors have truly helped me to operate my business more strategically and adopt practices that I will continue to use moving forward. To name a few, Mr. Paul Barber helped me to put a strategic plan together that has been helping me keep my business on track with things we need to accomplish and Lisa McKinney has helped me organize my accounting practices which used to be one of the top areas I was struggling in. All of the mentors have been a pleasure to work with and have taught me a lot of valuable information that was definitely needed!"

Profreshional Creations

Courtney Woods

The CARA accelerator program was right on time for me and my business. Every aspect of what it takes to be a successful business was covered by subject matter experts and it was truly hands-on. I learned a great deal and was able to start applying the knowledge to the core of my business. I highly recommend this accelerator program for any business owner looking to expand their business the right way.

Complete3 Tech Solutions

Chris White, Complete 3 Tech Solutions

Becoming a part of the CARA accelerator has helped me become a more effective leader. I have learned how to assess opportunities and quickly decide if they align with my organization?s mission or if they will be a distraction. Often we are not taught the nuances of managing our businesses in a way that allows for strategic growth- CARA helped me fill this gap AND gave me a space to have conversations with people who understood the challenges I faced. If you are a business owner and you need information and resources that will allow you to conquer the problems in your business that keep you up at night, there is no better place to start than this accelerator.

Bethel Ensley Action Task (BEAT)

Tara Dorsey, Executive Director

CARA has been a major resource to 3 Daughters Beauty Supply. The free training & knowledge has been more valuable to me than the knowledge I received during college. I was taught the importance of being ready to do business by having my business in order. Making sure the financials are in order to stay in business & be grant or loan ready. Also, providing Marketing Strategies to be able to compete & scale my business. Jeremy Duckworth & team are always available to answer any of my questions or help solve any issues, their availability & hands-on approach are what small businesses need to survive.

3 Daughters Beauty Supply

Sharon Hill, CEO and Founder

The CARA?s Western Micro Business Accelerator Program was timely for Refresh Clothing 2. The COVID-19 Pandemic drastically impacted our business, and we definitely may not have survived without the step-by-step guidance of this outstanding program. Through the WMBA, we were able to apply for and receive the EIDL and PPP loans. This program enabled us to become bankable and see a 30% increase in business. Being part of this accelerator program has been great for Refresh Clothes 2.

Refresh Clothing 2

Corey Bishop, Refresh Clothing 2

Since joining the program, My business has increased in profit. Being involved in this program has been a great learning curve for me & it has afforded me exposure in the community as well as taught me new marketing strategies, which ultimately caused an increase in customers. It is such a great program that teaches you a lot about marketing, finance, promoting, structure, advertising & how you can make a dream come true with your business. It has indeed increased my knowledge about growing a thriving & lucrative business. The accelerator program has been very helpful in allowing McLin Home Cakes to move forward to big & better things.

McLin Home Cakes

Stephanie McLin

CARA has been a blessing to me and my company. The classes and seminars aided me to be a better boss, entrepreneur, and person. The financial literacy component was elite in its ability to help me organize and maximize my business financially and structurally. This eventually bled over into my personal life and finances. What I really benefited from was the business students at UA. They helped me with my marketing plan. I was able to increase my clientele by 21% from this point last year. We still have five more months left. All of those attributes about the program were great, but the most outstanding and uplifting part, was that Jeremy Duckworth personally reached out to me to make sure that I was getting everything I needed for me and my company. WorldWare Consultant Services is grateful to have been a part of this cohort with CARA and look forward to future endeavors and opportunities

WorldWare Consultant Services

Reginald Ware, CEO & Founder

The Western Micro Business Accelerator is the first program that applies a real-life, hands-on concept in business growth, that is invaluable to our company. Everyone on the team is professional and possesses a high level of skill and expertise in key areas. As a small business, you can focus on the core of your business while learning skills that accelerate your business to the next level. This program is for business owners that are intentional and serious about wanting to grow.

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.

Tanesha Sims-Summers

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Our Partners

Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance?s (CARA) mission is to increase economic development capacity for urban and rural communities

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Phone : (866) 965-7272
Email : Info@Cara-Now.Org
Location : 6516 Aaron Aronov Drive Fairfield, AL 35064

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