What's New List Serve Post Display

SBA Expands ‘e200’ Emerging Leaders Initiative; 
Maintains Focus on Underserved Communities
Entrepreneur Training Initiative Has Been Catalyst
For Small Business Growth, Job Creation. Release Date: January
25, 2011	
Contact: Dennis Byrne  (202) 205-6567 
Release Number: 11-08	
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news 

***************

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration will expand
the e200 Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative to
eight new cities and communities in 2011. The expansion means the
successful program will be available to entrepreneurs in 27
cities across the United States.

“Over the last few years e200 has been a catalyst for expanding
opportunities for many promising small businesses in underserved
communities – in particular those who have been most impacted by
these tough economic times,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said.
“Graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created
jobs and helped drive local economic growth in their communities.
Adding eight new locations builds on this success and provides
even more entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the
support, resources and skills to succeed.”

The eight new cities and communities being added this year are:
Youngstown, Ohio; Fresno, Calif.; St. Louis, Mo.; Syracuse, N.Y.;
Minneapolis, Minn.; Farmington, N.M.; Honolulu, Hawaii; and
Helena, Mont.

The e200 Emerging Leaders initiative has helped more than 600
promising small business owners across the country grow their
businesses since 2008. Results gathered from a recent survey of
past e200 graduating classes show dramatic advances for these
small businesses.

Despite the recent recession/no growth economy, more than half of
the businesses that have completed the e200 training have shown
an increase in revenue of over $7 million. Nearly 60 percent have
reported creating new jobs in their communities.  Surveyed
entrepreneurs also reported having secured nearly $10 million in
new financing for their businesses, with an increase in
confidence when applying for government contracts. As a result,
post-trainees have reported securing nearly 500 federal, state
and local contracts, worth more than $112 million.

This initiative for entrepreneurs in underserved markets has been
a catalyst for expanding opportunities for both urban small
business owners and, more recently in 2010,  added emphasis on
Native American communities. There were 121 urban area graduates
in 2010 and 125 from Native American communities, with the
combined 246 graduates representing the largest graduating class
since the e200 initiative began in 2008. 

“SBA’s expansion of e200 Emerging Leaders to new locations last
year made this valuable training accessible to more promising
entrepreneurs than ever,” said Mills. “The training, mentorship
and resources that these small businesses received is already
helping them take their businesses to the next level, do their
part in the national economic recovery and achieve their own
piece of the American dream.” 
				
The nine-month training includes approximately 100 hours of
classroom time per participant and provides the opportunity for
small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend
workshops and develop connections with their peers, city leaders,
and financial communities. Local recruitment for the 2011
training cycle will start in February through SBA district
offices and classes are scheduled to begin in April.

The number of cities hosting e200 initiative classes in 2011 has
increased to 27 and includes:
 
Urban Markets
• Atlanta, Ga.
• Baltimore, Md.
• Boston, Mass.
• Chicago, Ill.
• Dallas, Tex.
• Denver, Colo.
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Detroit, Mich.
• Fresno, Calif.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Minneapolis, Minn.
• New Orleans, La.
• Philadelphia, Pa.
• St. Louis, Mo.
• Syracuse, N.Y.
• Youngstown, Ohio

Native American Communities
• Albuquerque, N.M.
• Helena, Mont.
• Farmington, N.M.
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Milwaukee, Wisc.
• Phoenix, Ariz.
• Portland, Ore.
• Santa Ana, Calif.
• Seattle, Wash.
•Tulsa, Okla.

For more information about e200 Emerging Leaders, or to contact
the respective local SBA District office in that area go to
www.sba.gov/e200 . 

# # #

You can also reach the Fresno office at (559) 487-5791 for more
information.