Coachella, UCR Extension Expand Free Business Courses to Empower Local Entrepreneurs

The City of Coachella is partnering with the University of California Riverside Extension to expand its free business management courses aimed at strengthening local entrepreneurship. The programs, held at the Palm Desert campus, provide residents, business owners, and city staff with the tools to start or grow a business while advancing their careers.

Graduates of the program have learned key skills ranging from financial management to competitive market analysis, while also gaining valuable networking opportunities. Organizers say the feedback from past participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the experience as both fulfilling and transformative.

Funded by a $287,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant, the initiative has already offered a six-week business readiness class and a 14-week MicroMaster of Business Administration program. These courses have been available both online and at the Coachella Library, ensuring accessibility for a broad range of students.

A third course is set to launch this fall at no cost to participants, continuing the city’s commitment to fostering economic growth and opportunity. Officials say the programs not only help aspiring entrepreneurs but also contribute to the overall economic vitality of the Coachella Valley.

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