Syracuse Hosts e200/Emerging Leaders Executive-Level Training Initiative for 2012

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has kicked off its 2012 e200 Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative in 27 cities and communities, including Syracuse, New York. After a successful e200 program was implemented in Syracuse in 2011, the SBA has selected the city for the second consecutive year as an Urban Market to host the program.

Since 2008, the e200/Emerging Leaders initiative has helped approximately 1,000 promising small business owners in underserved communities across the country sustain and grow their businesses. In 2011, thirteen small companies in the Syracuse area completed over 40 hours of advanced management training, transforming them into potential companies for rapid expansion and job creation.

According to a SBA news release, SBA Administrator Karen Mills said, “Graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created jobs and helped drive local economic growth in their communities. Continuing with this year’s lineup of new classes builds on this success and provides even more entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the support, resources and skills to succeed.”

This year’s e200 initiative will kick off at the end of February. Small companies that have been in business for three plus years and looking to grow are encouraged to apply for the program. Eighteen participants will be accepted. Sessions, which will be held at The Tech Garden, are scheduled to start in April and end in October with a November graduation date.

Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria:

• In business for at least three (3) years. (This curriculum is not for start-up companies.)
• Annual revenue between $400,000 and $10 million per year.
• Must have employees
• Must be a C-level manager and the key decision maker in the business.

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