Bridgeway Capital is expanding its Alliance for Creative Rural Economies (ACRE) program into Oil City. The program is now accepting applications. 

According to Bridgeway, this marks the new chapter in their mission to empower creative entrepreneurs in rural communities through financial resilience, creative fulfillment, and social impact. 

The ACRE program is designed to foster resilient creative businesses. The program was initially piloted in Johnstown, Pa. in 2022, and has since grown to serve entrepreneurs in multiple states. 

In Oil City, ACRE partners include the Oil Region Alliance and ARTS Oil City. 

"Creative businesses are vital to the economic renewal of rural areas, and Oil City is no exception," said John R. Phillips, II, ORA President and CEO. "Bridgeway's ACRE program will help local artists, makers, and designers tap into new markets, strengthen their financial foundations, and make lasting contributions to Oil City’s downtown revitalization efforts and the Oil Region.”

Applications for the Oil City ACRE cohort are now open to entrepreneurs aged 18 or older with at least one year of experience operating a creative business. 

Bridgeway says priority will be given to applications at are BIPOC, women, or veteran-owned creative businesses. 

Participants in the nine-month program will work close with businesses, coaches, regional industry experts and their peers to develop business plans, explore new revenue streams and build connections within their local creative economy. 

An information session will be held at the Oil Region Venango Campus on October 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. 

Applications will close on December 15 More information on the program and how to apply can be found here.