Center to offer $50K in grants to Texas rural women entrepreneurs

Denton, Texas — The Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE), a program of the Jane Nelson Institute for Womens Leadership at Texas Womans University, will begin accepting applications for its Texas Rural Woman Grant on May 28.

Ten $5,000 grants, for a total of $50,000, will be awarded to qualified Texas rural women who have formed their own businesses. This will be the second year the grant has been offered to help women in rural areas who need capital to expand their businesses.

A completed online application must be submitted before 5 p.m. on July 5. Winners will be announced on July 23. To determine rural eligibility, check this list of Texas counties.

Grants may be used for the purchase of machinery, equipment or technology, farm implements, fencing or products; acquisition of new inventory or raw materials; purchase and installation of fixtures or display units, property improvements or other business-related activity that is aligned with the purpose of the program. Grants cannot be used for wages, salaries or sales tax.

Awardees will meet with a small-business advisor as well as complete a virtual training course hosted by the center and complete a business plan.  The course will cover topics related to financial growth, business development and marketing.

The Center for Women Entrepreneurs is funded to help women business owners throughout the state of Texas, said Tracy Irby, CWE director.  Rural women dont have access to the resources, training or capital that typically is available in the metropolitan areas. This grant can help 10 women that may not have the resources to expand their businesses.

For more information, FAQs or to apply, visit the Texas Rural Grant website.

About the Center for Women Entrepreneurs

The CWE is a program of the Jane Nelson Institute for Womens Leadership at Texas Woman’s University. The JNIWL is dedicated to preparing women to take on successful roles in business and public service. Its three specialized centers Center for Student Leadership, Center for Women Entrepreneurs, and Center for Women in Government ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses, and the framework needed to run for public office.