“Our program has proven to be one of the top performing groups in the nation, based on the impact data that we continue to collect each year,” said SBA District Director Jane Sawyer.

HONOLULU – What do small businesses like Pacific Commercial Services, Ali’i Lavender Farms, Kalaka Nui, Integrated Securities Technologies, Dream Home Builders, and Manuheali’i have in common? All of these small businesses have accelerated their progress toward achieving their goals after completing SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened the recruitment cycle for the 2016 Emerging Leaders Initiative for executive-level intensive classroom and practical training.

For the fifth consecutive year, Honolulu has been selected for this dynamic program – one of only 51 cities across the country. The application deadline is March 1, 2016.

“We’re looking for 16 to 18 motivated, determined entrepreneurs ready to invest in their business growth to join this year’s Hawaii cohort,” said SBA District Director Jane Sawyer.

“With a proven track record of extremely high quality results, the Emerging Leaders course is open to

existing small business owners in all types of industries – not just high-tech, energy or innovation. We’ve had great mixes each year from business sectors as diverse as healthcare, IT, security, engineering, food and fashion.”

To be eligible for the program, the small business CEO must represent a firm that has been in business for a minimum of three years, be a for-profit entity, have at least one employee and generate annual revenues above $350,000 into the multi-million dollar range.

The Hawaii program will select the participants from among the qualified small business owners who complete the one page application and personal interview.

“Sixty-four local businesses from across the state – including Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai – have graduated successfully from this course,” commented Sawyer.

“That’s quite an achievement for a busy entrepreneur who completes all the course work, CEO sessions, and

develops a viable strategic action plan for execution.”

The seven-month curriculum includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time and provides the platform for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop valuable connections with their peers, business and government leaders and financial communities.

Graduates of the program continue to report that they have significantly increased their revenues and profitability, created more jobs and helped drive economic growth.

The classes are conducted at the Hawaii District Office in Honolulu and are scheduled to begin in April. For more information about the Emerging Leaders Initiative, call (808) 541-2990 or visit hawaiigeneral@sba.gov for details and application forms.