SBA offers training program for business owners

The U.S. Small Business Administration”™s New York district is seeking 15 business leaders for an initiative that will provide a three-year, tailored strategic growth plan to help bring the participants’ businesses to the next level.

New York was selected this year to be part of the SBA”™s Emerging Leaders Initiative, a federal training program that focuses on business executives poised for growth in historically challenged communities. The initiative will provide the participating executives with the organizational framework, resource network and motivation required to build sustainable businesses and promote economic development.

The course is free for those accepted. The first class meets April 7, and classes will be held one night a week, every other week through October, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The initiative is targeted for owners or principals of small businesses with annual revenues of at least $400,000, who have been in business for at least three years and have at least one employee other than themselves. Executives must be able to attend 13 evening training sessions and complete required homework, approximately a 100-hour commitment.

Executives can register online at interise.org/sbaemergingleaders until Feb. 28. The district office will make the final selection from qualified executives.

More information is available at sba.gov.

The New York District office covers Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties as well as New York City and Long Island.