Ford Foundation to fund opportunities for West Tennessee entrepreneurs

The gift of BlueOval City is going to keep giving — back to the community that is. The Idea Accelerator Program is an initiative prompted by the desire to give West Tennesseans access to increased opportunities, according to Ford Motor Company Fund economic mobility director Mike Schmidt.

"Ford is a committed partner to our new neighbors in West Tennessee and we are thrilled to be working with Heartland Forward to invest in the region," said Schmidt in the Nov. 16 press release.

Heartland Forward is a nonprofit organization based on "fostering job creation, knowledge-based and inclusive growth and improved health outcomes," according to its website.

Thanks to the Ford Motor Company Fund, an inaugural philanthropic division of the company, is initiating a community-based program geared toward local entrepreneurial development.

Due to close proximity to BlueOval City, residents of Lauderdale, Haywood, Tipton, Madison, Shelby, and Fayette counties can expect to make their "dreams a reality," according to the press release. Once applications are submitted by Dec. 12 — of which neither a pitch deck nor business plan is mandatory to include — 20 people will be chosen to go through business training and potentially receive up to $5,000 to aid in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

For those who are selected to join, the virtual training will commence Jan.12 and continue for two months. Interested participants can apply here.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: BlueOval City helps to fund entrepreneurial dreams of residents