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Small-business owners urge council to keep entrepreneurship grants and mentorships
Summary
More than a dozen Bakersfield business owners and Launchpad officials told the City Council the city-backed entrepreneurship grant and technical-assistance programs have helped start and expand local firms, and asked the council to maintain funding during the 2025–26 budget process.
Local entrepreneurs and representatives of Bakersfield College Launchpad told the City Council on June 25 that city-backed grants, mentorship and technical assistance programs have helped dozens of local businesses start and expand, and urged continued support in the budget.
Larissa Mitchell Reid, founder and CEO of In The Black Business Services, said city funding and mentorship helped her scale from a one‑person operation to a company that now serves entrepreneurs beyond Kern County. “Continued support through grants, mentorship, and…
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