Paul D. Camp Community College is sponsoring an inaugural event designed to support area entrepreneurs and encourage them to pursue their dreams of implementing innovative ideas in order to build their own viable businesses.

“Spirit of the Entrepreneur” with the theme of “A New Day, New Opportunities” gets under way April 27, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the college’s Regional Workforce Development Center, 100 North College Drive, Franklin.

“This forum will provide valuable insight and information to aspiring business owners on several levels,” said PDCCC President Dr. Dan Lufkin. “As a postsecondary education institution, we want to be a resource for the community and foster new ideas and business. Entrepreneurs have the ability to enhance our economic ecosystem.”

Forum features include guest speakers Dr. Rebecca Corbin, president and chief executive officer of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship; Elizabeth Creamer, advisor for Workforce Development; and John Camp and Kermit Hobbs, whose namesakes were integral in the creation of the PDCCC institutions via the donation of land and other resources.

An entrepreneurial discussion will follow with local panelists Lee Duncan of Wharf Hill Brewery, Terry Godwin of Franklin Lumber and Jimmy Strozier of Highground Services.

In addition, Zack Miller — author, television/Internet personality/host of HR Biz Weekly — will participate on the panel.

PDCCC offers programs and classes that are in line to support the areas of study.

“We have a number of programs in place for entrepreneurs, both credit and non-credit,” said Toni Johnson, dean of the Franklin campus and coordinator of the event.

Lufkin said, “It can be a very rewarding experience to build a business from the ground up. It exemplifies hard work and sound investments. It’s a process that you see through to the end.”

Last year, PDCCC joined more than 300 community colleges nationwide in the effort to promote entrepreneurship within the college and the community by partnering with the NACCE.

There is no fee and no registration required for the forum.