By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Montevallo Main Street’s CO.STARTERS program, which educates entrepreneurs on the fundamentals of business, was one of five projects awarded the honor of 2024 Project of the Year by Cawaco Research Conservation & Development.

“We awarded five projects from our RC&D grant program the honor of a 2024 Project of the Year,” read a Facebook post from Cawaco RC&D. “In Shelby County, Montevallo Main Street’s CO.STARTERS program guides entrepreneurs through business fundamentals within the context of their local community over a 10-week course. This program strengthens Montevallo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, fosters business growth, creates jobs and expands economic opportunities.”

Erin Hackenmueller serves as a communications specialist with Cawaco RC&D and took the time to explain the organization’s mission.

“Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council supports Central Alabama in building vibrant communities that balance economic, human and environmental needs,” Hackenmueller said. “We connect communities to resources and partnerships needed to drive this economic development in an environmentally sustainable way.”

One practical way that RC&D achieves this is through its grant program.

“A major way we support communities is through the RC&D grant program in partnership with the Alabama Legislature,” Hackenmueller said. “We support projects that are likely to make a broad community, environmental or educational impact, and where a little goes a long way.”

Programs Manager Patti Pennington outlined the application process for the grant program, and by extension the 2024 Project of the Year award winners.

“We accept applications each year beginning April 1 through July 1,” Pennington said. “The request for proposals is sent out through our network, via email, web and social media. All applications are then reviewed by staff and a board member from each county.”

Applications to the grant program are scored based on Cawaco’s priorities, as well as the urgency of need of each grant. Projects are also referred to Cawaco through partners, board members or local legislators.

Hackenmueller provided a glimpse of the formal process in which the award winners were decided for the 2024 Project of the Year.

“Our team reviewed projects that were supported by our RC&D grant program in 2024,” Hackenmueller said. “We looked for projects we felt went above and beyond due to the size of their impact, their uniqueness and creativity and the partnerships utilized.”

Hackenmueller shared she believes that Montevallo Main Street’s CO.STARTERS program was an ideal fit with Cawaco RC&D’s mission.

“Montevallo Main Street’s CO.STARTERS program gives entrepreneurs the resources and knowledge to help them grow successful businesses,” Hackenmueller said. “Because the course is taught in Montevallo, everything they learn is taught within a local context to prepare them for real-world situations and encourages economic growth right here in our region.”

Hackenmueller is also confident that the work the program has put in is already on display.

“If you walk down Main Street in Montevallo, you’ll see the evidence of a town with a healthy small business economy,” Hackenmueller said. “There are so many local businesses that bring charm, vibrancy and dollars to the area. It’s a street that makes you want to walk further and stay longer. CO.STARTERS is helping grow and preserve that economy.”

Those interested in learning more about Cawaco RC&D and the CO.STARTERS program may visit Cawaco RC&D’s website at Cawaco.org.