Your Own Business Rural small businesses are the economic engines of Rural America. Planning, training, and resources are keys to success. The 12-hour business management training curriculum that is part of the REAP program consists of marketing, advertising, promotions, financial management, goal setting, and customer relations. A completed business plan is the goal of the training. After the business training is completed, the local association identifies other topics of interest to members, and brings in outside speakers or programs to address these needs.
Training is an ongoing component of the program.
REAP staff provide technical assistance to all members of the local association on an ongoing basis as requested. REAP uses special lending techniques that respond to the needs of small businesses while controlling loan losses. These include step-up borrowing, group borrowing and individual lending. In group borrowing, association members review each other s loan application, give suggestions for improvement, and vote on the loan. When sufficient interest is achieved, REAP staff facilitate three orientation sessions and the formation process of a local REAP group is complete.