Skip to main content

Two Jackson County leaders graduate from Rural Economic Development Institute

2015-09-26
Photo of Patrick Woodie and Tiffany Henry
Tiffany Henry, director of SCC’s Small Business Center, receives her Rural Economic Development Institute certification from Patrick Woodie, president of the N.C. Rural Center in Raleigh.
 
Photo of Patrick Woodie and Sarah Thompson
Sarah Thompson, director of planning and development for the Southwestern Commission, receives her Rural Economic Development Institute certification from Patrick Woodie, president of the N.C. Rural Center in Raleigh.

Over the summer, Tiffany Henry of Southwestern Community College’s Small Business Center and Sarah Thompson of Southwestern Commission graduated from the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) - an intensive, three-month training program for leaders in rural communities.

Rural Center President Patrick Woodie presented graduation certificates during a June 12 ceremony at the N.C. State Legislative Building.

Henry is in her third year as director of SCC’s Small Business Center, where she provides free and confidential one-on-one counseling. She also organizes numerous free seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners.

Thompson is the director of planning and development for the Southwestern Commission, which aims to improve the quality of life in the state’s seven westernmost counties by assisting local governments in reaching their goals.

Conducted by the N.C. Rural Center in Raleigh, REDI provides techniques to improve participants' leadership skills while imparting proven strategies to help put those new skills into action.

Participants included elected officials, government professionals, community and business leaders. The participants studied economic and community development strategies, honed leadership and team-building skills, learned about community resources and joined a network of rural leaders sharing knowledge and experiences.

To learn more about the Southwestern Commission, contact Thompson at 828.586.1962, ext. 212, or sarah@regiona.org.

For more information about the SCC Small Business Center, contact Tiffany Henry at 828.339.4211 or t_henry@southwesterncc.edu.

For help with the accessibility of this website, please use this form.