While people looking to start their own business know that often it takes more than work experience on a resume to guarantee success, Eastern Bank of Massachusetts is hoping a $10,000 grant can help support aspiring young entrepreneurs. The grant, from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, will help fund the Young Entrepreneurs of North Shore (YENS), a new initiative from the Enterprise Center at Salem State University. Targeted to business owners under the age of 40, the program's goal is to help identify, support and encourage entrepreneurs to grow their companies, and in turn, help create jobs for others. "Eastern Bank is pleased to support nonprofit programs that are dedicated to helping spur economic growth in the communities that we serve," said Joe Riley, Director of Retail and Business Banking at Eastern Bank. Developers of YENS said they hope to host events that will include workshops on specific topics, online programs, and elevator pitch competitions. YENS will officially kick-off at an introductory networking event on Wednesday, February 22. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2.5 million jobs were created by new establishments in the U.S. in 2010. |