Search is on for Inner City Firms to Participate in SBA’s 2015 Emerging Leaders Class in Newark

On Mar 3, 2015

The U.S. Small Business Administration is looking to build on the success it had last year with its inaugural Emerging Leaders initiative, an intensive executive-level entrepreneurship training program for small business owners located in Newark and other inner cities across New Jersey.

According to SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone, the seven month executive intensive entrepreneurship education series starts in April and will be held in Newark. The program has no out-of-pocket expense for participants, but has a significant time requirement that calls for approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant.  In addition to the training, small business owners will be given the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities.

“The Emerging Leaders Initiative advanced training series is open to small business owners and executives who have annual revenues of at least $400,000; have been in business for at least 3 years; and have at least one employee, other than self,” said Titone. “Between now and April we are looking for the 17 best and most qualified small business owners who meet this criteria and are committed to taking their businesses to the next level.”

While the program is aimed at businesses in Newark, Titone noted that his office would welcome potential candidates from Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Camden, Dover, East Orange, Elizabeth, Englewood, Hackensack, Hillside, Irvington, Jersey City, Morristown, New Brunswick, Neptune, Passaic, Paterson, Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Trenton.

The SBA Emerging Leaders executive-level training series is now available in 48 cities and communities across the country. Entering its eighth consecutive year, the initiative has trained more than 2,000 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and continues to expand its impact of helping small businesses grow and create jobs.

“Emerging Leaders has a proven track record of helping small businesses in underserved communities,” said Titone. “Graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created jobs and helped drive local economic growth in their communities. Providing more entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the support, resources and skills is only going to help them to succeed.”

Joining the SBA as co-sponsors of the 2015 Emerging Leaders initiative in Newark are NJ Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC), African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ (AACCNJ), Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED), Greater Newark Enterprise Corporation (GNEC), NJ Business and Industry Association (NJBIA), PNC Bank, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ (SHCCNJ), and The Boardroom Radio Program – WWDB Radio 860.

“Over time, the Emerging Leaders initiative has been a catalyst for expanding opportunities for underserved communities,” said Titone. “We are excited about recruiting candidates for our second class here in Newark.  Our primary goal is to get inner city small business owners to look at their business in a different light and find better processes to elevate their businesses.”

Local recruitment for the 2015 training cycle is underway for the Newark initiative and classes are scheduled to begin in April. Information on eligibility requirements and how small business owners can apply to participate in the program can be found at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders.  The online application to be considered for the 2015 Emerging Leaders initiative in Newark can be found at http://www.interise.org/sbaemergingleaders.

For additional information about the Emerging Leaders program, contact Program Coordinator Dominick Belfiore of the SBA New Jersey district office at (973) 645-3683 or by emailing him at [email protected].

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