Project GATE was initiated by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao in 2002 to help emerging entrepreneurs create, sustain, and/or expand their existing small business.  Project GATE (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship) was implemented as an experimental research demonstration in seven urban/rural sites in three states (Minnesota, Maine, and Pennsylvania).  In these demonstration sites, approximately 4,000 individuals applied for Project GATE services.  Half of the applicants were randomly selected to receive Project GATE services (participant group); the remaining half was not offered Project GATE services (control group).  Those selected for the participant group were offered individualized assessment of entrepreneurial training needs, referral to appropriate service providers, and classroom training and individual counseling at no cost.  Control group members were free to pursue entrepreneurship training without assistance from Project GATE.

Overall impacts of Project GATE were estimated by comparing the mean value of each outcome for those in the program group with the mean value of the outcome for those in the control group.  The results of the impact evaluation revealed the following:

• Project GATE increased the proportion of business ownership.
• Earnings were not significantly higher among Project GATE participants compared to their control group counterparts. 
• Project GATE participants were less likely to be employed in wage and salary jobs compared to their control group counterparts. 
• Project GATE increased the duration of UI spells by about one week and increased the amount of UI benefits received by about $300 per participant. 
• Taken together, Project GATE did not have a significant impact on total household earnings (from self-employment, wage and salary employment, UI benefits, and all other sources) during the 18-month follow-up period.