The Roane State Foundation received a $75,000 Tennessee Community CARES grant to assist students impacted by COVID-19. It will provide online training for local small businesses, entrepreneurs and contractors to help them build their businesses and be more responsive during the pandemic.

The Director of the Roane State Foundation, Scott Niermann, told 105.7 News this afternoon scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis for the following programs:

Environmental Infection Protection (cleaning) – This course prepares individuals to know how to clean and prepare facilities for use following CDC guidelines. The course is available online, requiring eight hours over a two-week period to complete.

Remote Work Boot Camp – This course prepares individuals to work from home as a result of COVID-19 in their current job and/or to look for employment where they can work from home due to unemployment or other pandemic impacts.

Financial Management for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses – The purpose of the training is to help current small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as future ones, to gain the skills needed to prepare and implement a business plan, operate a business from a financial perspective and engage with their peers in solving business problems, particularly those related to COVID-19. Participants can take the Personal Finance course and three more topics.

Roane State “Maker Space Package” – The Maker Space package will allow participants completing four of the Financial Management courses above, or other similarly targeted Roane State curriculum, to have access to Roane State’s Maker’s Space at the Cumberland County Campus. The Maker Space provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with access to tools, software, space and mentors to make virtually anything. Tools include a woodworking shop with a 3D CNC wood router, 3D printers, laser cutter/engraver, vinyl cutter and heat press, and computer design workstations. The tools can be used to produce products and/or “logo” items to market/promote a business.

The grant will also provide funds to help current Roane State students with specific needs as a result of the pandemic. Any student in need of extra financial support can alert the college by emailing [email protected]. Students requesting assistance are asked to provide details explaining how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted their ability to continue their education.

For more information about the above training, please visit www.roanestate.edu/ccg or call Sonya Parker at (865) 481-2031.