Free event will help local entrepreneurs prepare for business financing and growth
August 10, 2026 – Ephraim, UT – Snow College is pleased to host Banking on Success, a free workshop designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their financial readiness and better understand the path to business funding. The workshop will be offered on August 17 from 4–6 p.m. at the Snow College GRIT Center in Ephraim and August 18 from 4–6 p.m. at Snow College Richfield.
The workshops are part of CEED to Success (Community Entrepreneurship Economic Development), a national initiative that expands entrepreneurship education and business financing resources for underserved founders, with an emphasis on veteran-, women-, and minority-owned businesses. Through a partnership with Baker Hill, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), State Bank of Southern Utah, and Snow College, the program connects aspiring business owners with practical education, local resources, and lending expertise.
Participants will learn about financial readiness, available entrepreneurial resources throughout central Utah, and the fundamentals of securing business financing. Representatives from State Bank of Southern Utah will also provide insight into the lending process and answer questions from attendees.
“At Snow College, we are committed to ensuring that every aspiring entrepreneur—especially those in our rural communities—has access to the knowledge, resources, and partnerships needed to successfully launch and grow a business,” said Russ Tanner, director of the GRIT Center for Rural Entrepreneurship at Snow College. “This workshop gives entrepreneurs practical tools while connecting them with local experts who are invested in their success.”
The CEED to Success initiative aims to strengthen local economies by making business education and financing opportunities more accessible to entrepreneurs who have traditionally faced barriers to capital.
“CEED to Success isn’t just a program—it’s a catalyst for strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems,” said Dirk Soma, director of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems at Baker Hill. “By bringing together education, financial institutions, and community partners, we're helping entrepreneurs gain the confidence and connections they need to move their businesses forward.”
State Bank of Southern Utah is excited to be part of the program. S.V.P. Area Lending Manager Casey Dyreng remarked, "We're proud to support the GRIT Center and the important work they do to help entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to succeed. At State Bank of Southern Utah we believe in investing in local entrepreneurs is one of the best ways to build stronger communities."
The workshops are free and open to current and aspiring business owners throughout central Utah. Registration information and additional details are available through the Snow College GRIT Center.
Snow College, founded in 1888 by Utah pioneers, is a two-year college with campuses located in Ephraim and Richfield, Utah, and a learning center in Nephi, Utah. Serving more than 5,000 students, the college is committed to helping students graduate debt-free, gain resume-worthy experience, and develop a plan for the future. The affordable price and personalized environment full of opportunities allow students who find Snow College to find themselves. Learn more about all Snow College has to offer online at snow.edu.
Baker Hill is the leading provider of commercial lending technology for banks and credit unions across the United States. Each month, financial institutions use Baker Hill’s platform to process more than $7 billion in lending originations — helping them Lend Better, Lend Faster, and Lend More™ in their communities. Backed by Flexpoint Ford, a private equity firm, Baker Hill delivers the scale, security and innovation required to meet the demands of modern banking. The company is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, with operations in Santa Barbara, California. For more information, visit bakerhill.com.
Founded in 1957, State Bank of Southern Utah is a locally owned community bank committed to personalized service and local decision-making. With 17 branch locations throughout Central and Southern Utah, SBSU proudly supports individuals, families, and businesses by investing in the communities it serves. Learn more at sbsu.com.
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship is a nonprofit organization representing more than 350 community colleges serving more than 3.3 million students. The group focuses on entrepreneurship education and supports college-led workforce and business development initiatives. In 2023, NACCE acquired SkillPointe as a charitable donation. The AI-powered career exploration site has served over 4.3 million people.
