Emerging Leaders program helps small companies grow

The Ohio Small Business Development Center is partnering with the Small Business Administration, the city of Youngstown and Youngstown State University to host the Emerging Leaders executive level training program at the Williamson College of Business Administration on the YSU campus.

The six-month course, open only to 20 established business owners, begins April 17 and runs through October. The class meets every other Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m.

The goal of the program is to provide small to mid-size emerging companies with the knowledge and resources to strategically grow their business. At the end of the course, graduates will have developed an in-depth “Strategic Growth Action Plan” to help chart the course of their company.

Nationally, graduates of the program have accessed more than $83 million in new financing and secured federal, state, local and tribal contract awards over $684 million. Nearly 70 percent of Emerging Leaders participants experienced revenue growth.

The training is only for established business owners. Participant must be an owner or key

decision maker within the company. Firms must have annual revenues of at least $250,000; been in business for at least three years; have at least one employee, other than self; and have a commitment to participate.

Thanks to funding through the SBA, there is no fee for the program. Only 20 participants will be accepted.

For more information, visit www.sba.gov/emergingleaders or email Crystal Volinchak at cmvolinchak@ysu.edu.