Frank Lopez<\/a><\/p>\nFresno Pacific University recently received more than $1 million in grants to support local businesses.<\/p>\n
FPU\u2019s Center for Community Transformation (CCT) received more than $1.3 million to support businesses and startups in 11 rural communities\u2014Sanger, Reedley, Parlier, Cutler, Orosi, Dinuba, Kingsburg, Selma, Laton, Caruthers and Kerman.<\/p>\n
The awards include a $358,157 USDA grant and a five-year, $1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc.<\/p>\n
According to a press release, the CCT received the grant on Sept. 30, but there were delays related to the recent federal government shutdown\u2014the funds were officially awarded in early December.<\/p>\n
\u201cCCT will continue holding listening sessions in these communities,\u201d said Carlos Huerta, executive director of CCT. \u201cWe want to curate the right supports for those in these areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe CCT will partner with local chambers of commerce and city economic development departments to support job creation, job retention, and overall business health.<\/p>\n
The grant also funds the launch of a new program, the Rural Ignite Business Acceleration, offering opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners to receive in-depth, expert training in a variety of targeted topics.<\/p>\n
CCT received $190,000 in grant funding last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese funds allow us to deepen our commitment to the Valley\u2019s rural communities,\u201d Huerta
said. \u201cWe\u2019re equipping business owners with tools, training and collaborative support.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CCT also received a five-year, $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded in early December 2025.<\/p>\n
This funding extends CCT\u2019s original 2020 grant Lilly and expands its LaunchPad program to six new cities around the country in partnership with Leadership Foundations.<\/p>\n
The funding will help establish the creation of a bilingual training materials and the launch of a third all-Spanish certificate at CCT in Biblical Studies, complementing the two existing Spanish certificates in Community Transformation and Children\u2019s Ministry.<\/p>\n
CCT received $190,000 in grant funding last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese funds allow us to deepen our commitment to the Valley\u2019s rural communities,\u201d Huerta said. \u201cWe\u2019re equipping business owners with tools, training and collaborative support.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0The CCT also received a five-year, $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. awarded in early December 2025.<\/p>\n
This funding extends CCT\u2019s original 2020 grant Lilly and expands its LaunchPad program to six new cities around the country in partnership with Leadership Foundations.<\/p>\n
The funding will help establish the creation of a bilingual training materials and the launch of a third all-Spanish certificate at CCT in Biblical Studies, complementing the two existing Spanish certificates in Community Transformation and Children\u2019s Ministry.<\/p>\n
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![\"Fresno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/fresno-pacific-university.jpg\")
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