<!--Rick Forgione--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Forgione</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com">rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
One of the first steps to help open a small business in Niagara Falls starts Tuesday.
The city’s Economic Development Department, in cooperation with state Sen. Antoine Thompson’s office and the Niagara University Family Business Center, is once again offering a free Entrepreneurial Training Program open to both prospective business owners and current business owners.
The program runs weekly from 6-8 p.m. for a total of 12 weeks at the Niagara Falls Conference Center. There are still openings for the course and those interested are encouraged to attend the first class on Tuesday.
Niagara Falls Director of Business Development Fran Iusi said the city is making graduation from the training class, or a similar program, a requirement to be eligible for microenterprise loans and grants. Small businesses can apply to the NFC Development Corp.’s micro-enterprise program for a grant of up to $10,000 or a loan up to $25,000.
“We have always said that the small business is the backbone of any community,” Iusi said, “and we believe this program provides the basic business knowledge and tools necessary for them to succeed.”
The Entrepreneurial Training Program was created three years ago and has graduated more than 80 people. The classes are taught by professionals from academia and business, and topics cover a wide range of areas, including how to develop a business plan, apply for loans and other financing, promotional and marketing strategies and insurance requirements.
Iusi credited Thompson for securing funding needed to keep the free program running for a third straight year.
“His desire to help educate future entrepreneurs is a reflection of his interest in seeing small businesses succeed,” she said.
How to Participate
WHAT: Free Entrepreneurial Training Program
WHEN: The first class is 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and the course runs for 12 weeks
WHERE: Conference Center Niagara Falls
WHO’S ELIGIBLE: Prospective and current business owners.
DETAILS: For more information, call 286-4482 or 286-4481.
