FREEPORT — Highland Community College is the recipient of the NW Illinois Economic Development Collaboration Award for 2024 by the NWILED at their annual meeting in February in Hanover to celebrate the organization’s 15th anniversary.

Highland worked closely with NWILED to develop a business training program: “Build It, Grow It — Small Business Entrepreneurial Bootcamp.”

“This award reflects Highland’s efforts to partner with local businesses and industry across our district to provide training and resources to support economic development,” said President Chris Kuberski. “Highlighting and sharing the expertise of our faculty for professional training outside the traditional classroom as was done in the ‘Build It, Grow It’ program, expands our reach and impact.”

The boot camp is a five-month workshop to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and skills to kickstart and grow their businesses successfully. Participants gain practical insights into business planning, marketing strategies, customer service, financial management using Quickbooks and securing loans for their ventures.

The program encourages active participation, networking and the development of practical skills that can be immediately applied to real-world entrepreneurial challenges.

Northwest Illinois Economic Development was formed in 2008 by the Jo-Carroll Energy Board of Directors, whose main goals were to spearhead economic development structures, funding and progress in Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties in Northwest Illinois.