There are many loan and funding programs available to help businesses try to survive the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

Training and resources on how to reopen and build business may be even more valuable in these crazy times.

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a national not-for-profit organization, is seeking small businesses to participate in the second Inner City Capital Connections program cohort in Hawaii.

Funded by Kaiser Permanente, the tuition-free executive leadership program is designed to help business owners build sustainable growth and create a healthy local economy through training and development, education and mentorship.

The curriculum has been updated to prioritize business recovery strategies and capital relief solutions, as well as offer relevant one-on-one business and capital coaching to help business owners lead, survive and thrive during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Last year, 70 Hawaii-based businesses gained valuable training in ICCC’s inaugural class.

“When small businesses thrive, our communities thrive. By giving our small business owners opportunities to succeed, the entire community reaps the benefits of job growth, economic stability, improved access to services and healthier residents,” said Chris Hause of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. “We’re proud to support the hardworking entrepreneurs who are committed to improving the health of their own organization and contributing to economic vitality across Hawaii.”

To nominate a business, go to nominate.iccapitalconnections.org. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 4.

Self-nominations are also accepted at apply.iccapitalconnections.org. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 18, 2020, with opening seminars scheduled for mid-October.