Polk County and the national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, with support from the Principal Foundation, announced the launch of Small Business Boost, a pilot program to connect small business owners and entrepreneurs to one-on-one financial counseling. Polk County, in partnership with the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, has provided financial counseling to Polk County residents at no cost since 2020, according to a release. “Since then, hundreds of individuals have been able to reduce debt and delinquent credit accounts, increase credit scores, create workable household budgets and save for both emergencies and various assets,” said Angela Connolly, chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors. “These same accomplishments can be critical to entrepreneurs and small business owners when it comes to accessing credit, separating business and personal financial success, and being well prepared with personal finances for what can sometimes be a lack of predictability in maintaining a small business.” The center will continue to provide financial counseling to residents, and one of its four counselors will be redeployed to work specifically with small business owners and entrepreneurs. Polk County was one of five local governments selected by CFE Fund to offer this service.