-SBA NEWS RELEASE-

Des Moines District Office, 210 Walnut, Room 749, Des Moines, Iowa 50309  

Contact:  Dave Lentell    (515) 284-4522

SBA Continues Emerging 200 Initiative in Des Moines

(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The U.S. Small Business Administration has recently announced it will be continuing its successful Emerging 200 Initiative in Des Moines.

For the last 4 years, Des Moines has been selected as one of a limited number of cities nationwide to participate in the SBA’s Emerging 200 Initiative (e200). The goal of e200 is to identify small businesses across the country that show a high potential for growth and to provide them the network, resources and motivation required to build a sustainable business within a designated geographic location.

Based on the success of the initiative in Des Moines over the last four years, SBA will offer the program again beginning in April. However this year, SBA will be expanding the program boundaries to include the Des Moines Metro area.

The cornerstone of the e200 initiative  is an in-depth educational program running approximately 80-100 hours, to be held two half-days per month from April  through October. It will focus on topics such as organization management, finance, growth strategies and management, market development, and strategic planning.

Participation in e200 is free to qualifying businesses.  Criteria for participation includes having been in business for a minimum of three years, $400,000 or more in gross annual revenues, and a business location within the Des Moines Metro area. Participation will be limited to only 17businesses in Des Moines.

For more information on the program, and to RSVP for the March 7th reception, contact the SBA in Des Moines at (515) 284-4913 or at dawnelle.conley@sba.gov.

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