VAYOTS DZOR, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) proudly announces the successful launch of a new business enterprise in the village of Areni, located in the Vayots Dzor region. This business venture by Susanna Grigoryan was made possible through the technical and financial assistance by AUA’s Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP). As part of AUA Extension, TRDP continues to play a pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurs, fostering the establishment of new ventures, and creating job opportunities.
Grigoryan’s agricultural supplies and equipment store stands as the first of its kind facility within the Areni community. The business is positioned to contribute to local development by introducing new products to the market and has generated two new jobs. The store offers a wide range of goods, including pesticides, fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural equipment, all of which are necessary for local production of agricultural goods.
The grand opening of the store on October 5 was a joyful celebration for the community and was attended by Grigoryan’s family, friends, Areni residents, and members of the TRDP community. In her remarks, Grigoryan expressed deep gratitude to AUA andTRDP for their essential role in bringing her entrepreneurial vision to life. She particularly highlighted the value of the skills she acquired through the AUA Extension Entrepreneurship Skills Training course in business administration, along with the ongoing mentorship and support provided by TRDP staff. This guidance not only helped her develop a strong branding strategy but also enabled her to source high-quality, competitive products for her store.
The AUA Turpanjian Rural Development Program, in collaboration with AUA Extension, provides education, funding, and consultations to both established and startup businesses in the rural communities of Shirak, Tavush, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Lori, and Ararat provinces of Armenia, as well as in Javakhk, Georgia. More details about eligible communities and criteria can be found here. The program is currently accepting applications for its next round of training.
