June 30, 2010

Rhonda Pole receives certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional

Rhonda Pole

MITCHELL — Rhonda Pole, executive director of Dakota Wesleyan University’s Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship, has received her certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).

Certification is a designation given to individuals who successfully complete an intensive economic development finance training series that is conducted by NDC. The courses provide individuals working in the field of economic development with training in credit analysis, real estate financing, loan packaging, deal structuring and negotiating, and the creation and implementation of development programs.

Each of the four courses are five days in length and end with a written review that must be passed before a certification candidate is allowed to continue in the EDFP program. When a candidate has completed the entire four-week series, a comprehensive examination is given and must be passed before obtaining EDFP certification.

The mission of the Kelley Center is to educate leaders to think entrepreneurially by preparing students to think innovatively, potentially creating jobs for themselves, and becoming successful entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial employees; integrating an interdisciplinary educational curriculum for entrepreneurial leadership; sparking entrepreneurship in the region; and preparing entrepreneurs for leadership challenges. The Kelley Center hosts the Small Business Development Center for the Mitchell area where free, confidential business consulting is available.

The National Development Council is the oldest national nonprofit community and economic development organization in the U.S. It was founded in 1969 with one purpose: increasing the flow of capital for investment, jobs and community development to underserved urban and rural areas across the country. Since that time, NDC has worked with thousands of communities in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico, providing technical assistance, professional training, investment in affordable housing, small business financing and direct developer services.