SBA Emerging Leaders Program Taking Applications
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 04, 2021
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) West Virginia District Office is announcing the launch of its 2021 free Emerging Leaders executive-training program for area small businesses.
“Small business owners have faced many challenges this past year, the 2021 Emerging Leader program classes will be online and are specifically designed to help business owners grow and recover from the pandemic,” said SBA West Virginia District Director Karen Friel.
Space is limited, small business interested in the program must meet the following criteria:
- Annual sales of $250,000 to $10 million
- In business three years or more
- At least one employee in addition to the owner
- Commit to one mid-morning meeting every other week from April to October online for approximately 100 hours of combined classroom time, homework, specialized workshops, and meetings with peers and local business leaders.
- Participation extends to owner; president; CEO; COO; CFO or key decision-maker.
Interested participants should complete the online application at https://www.interise.org/sbaemergingleadersand select Fairmont, WV under the Program Location pull-down menu. Additional information is available at www.sba.gov/emergingleaders
Emerging Leaders Program equips key decision makers with the knowledge, tools and networking connections to advance their business to the next level. Participants in this free online initiative will leave with a better understanding of their business through an individualized three-year growth plan.
"The most valuable thing I've learned from the Emerging Leaders Program is to focus on where my business needs to be and where it is headed," said Rebecca Titchenal of Bridgeport's West Virginia Fruit and Berry, whose business is a gradute of the program. "This class confirmed my concerns of where my finances need to be and how they need to be moving forward."
Businesses interested in SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program are invited to learn more by contacting Melissa, program manager, at melissa.loder@sba.govor at (304) 623-7448.
Editor's Note: Cover photo and social media photos courtesy from the West Virginia Fruit and Berry Facebook page.
