CCC&TI’s Small Business Center Strengthens Entrepreneurship and Local Job Growth

Part Two of a two-part series on workforce development at CCC&TI. Part One explored the college’s BioWork program and its role in preparing residents for biomanufacturing and life sciences careers.

Beyond preparing workers for high-tech and high-demand industries, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) also plays a vital role in shaping the region’s entrepreneurial landscape. Through its Small Business Center (SBC), CCC&TI provides residents with the tools, training, and guidance to launch and grow successful businesses, helping strengthen the entire economic ecosystem of Caldwell and Watauga Counties.

“We’re counselors, educators, and connectors, and our job is to help entrepreneurs get started, grow, and stay right here in our community,” Director Carmela Tomlinson states in describing the center. “We’re a bit of a hidden gem - people don’t always know our resources exist, but they can make all the difference.”

Designed for New and Growing Businesses

One of 58 North Carolina Small Business Center Network centers, the Caldwell SBC provides free, confidential one-on-one counseling, education, and business connections to help local entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses in both Caldwell and Watauga counties. 

The center assists clients in refining their business models, developing financial projections, and navigating startup logistics, from registering with the state to securing funding. Tools like LivePlan give clients access to professional-grade business plan templates and financial forecasting, all free of charge.

Serving Caldwell and Watauga counties, the center supports a diverse range of small businesses, from trades and e-commerce ventures to unique startups, such as a salt cave wellness center and a cat café. Many clients come directly from CCC&TI’s technical programs in fields like cosmetology, massage therapy, and HVAC, creating a direct bridge between education, entrepreneurship, and local job creation. Tomlinson notes that strong institutional support from CCC&TI’s leadership helps integrate the SBC’s services into the broader college community.

Training, Events, and Inspirational Success Stories

The SBC hosts workshops, seminars, and online training throughout the year, connecting local entrepreneurs with statewide networks and resources. One of its standout programs, Camp Enterprise, is a three-day entrepreneurship and leadership boot camp for high school students. It has earned statewide recognition for inspiring young people to see a future for themselves in Caldwell County.

“One parent told me her daughter came in with her confidence at a three and left at a ten,” Tomlinson recalls. “That’s what Camp Enterprise is all about.”
The center also earned the statewide “Success Story Overcoming Challenges” award for supporting a local brewery and pizzeria through early operational difficulties, helping it grow into one of the community’s standout businesses.

Open to All, Built to Support the Community

Tomlinson emphasizes that the SBC’s resources are funded by taxpayer dollars and available to anyone with a business dream, regardless of their background or prior experience.
“We believe in what we’re doing,” she says. “You can see the impact every day in the businesses that open, the students who stay, and the community that grows stronger because of it.”

Preparing for the future

CCC&TI’s Small Business Center is one of the many ways the college helps ensure that Caldwell County residents have access to the skills and support needed for today’s and tomorrow’s most promising careers. By linking local talent with statewide opportunities and offering personalized workforce training, CCC&TI continues to strengthen the region’s economic future and community resilience.

Reach out to Caldwell County Economic Development to learn more.