The Spokane branch of the U.S. Small Business Administration, for the second year, is offering an Emerging Leaders training initiative for the owners or chief administrators of small Inland Northwest businesses that are on the cusp of growth.

The entrepreneurship education series is for businesses beyond the incubator stage of development. The program includes roughly 100 hours of classroom time over a seven-month span. Upon completion of the course, participants have a three-year growth action plan, a network of peers, and access to industry experts to help them succeed, the SBA says.

Past Emerging Leaders from Eastern Washington have come from industries such as construction, food service, marketing, consulting services, clean energy, industrial supply, manufacturing, and athletics.

Joel Nania, an economic development specialist with the SBA’s Spokane branch, says applications are being accepted until March 1. Up to 18 business representatives will be selected to attend classes here, starting on April 4.

Classes will be held in office space leased by the Northwest Business Development Association at 9019 E. Appleway in Spokane Valley, Nania says.

Nationally, the SBA started the program 10 years ago. Since then, it has trained more than 2,700 small business owners across the country. Last year almost, 750 small business owners completed the program, representing the largest graduating class since the program began, the SBA says.

Program graduates have created nearly 2,000 new full-time jobs, secured more than $73 million in new financing, and were awarded federal, state, local, and tribal contracts worth more than $1 billion, the SBA says.

‘The beauty of the SBA Emerging Leaders program is it provides the framework for local entrepreneurs to work on their business instead of in their business,” says Mark Costello, the SBA’s acting director of the Seattle District overseeing the Spokane branch, in a press release about the program.

The SBA Seattle District serves Washington state and North Idaho with office locations in Seattle and Spokane.

The Emerging Leaders class, which the SBA describes as a “mini-MBA,” is offered in 50 cities across the country. An informational webinar will be held Feb. 13 to help answer any questions applicants might have about the program. For more information or to register, go to www.sba.gov/EmergingLeaders.

Eligibility requirements include being a small business owner or head decision maker at a business with annual revenues between $400,000 and $10 million, having been in business at least three years, and employing at least one person in addition to the owners. Other requirements include making the time commitment required of the course and demonstrating that the business is on the brink of growth or transition.

“Small business owners often know where they want to take their business, but can find themselves struggling with how to get there,” SBA’s acting regional administrator Nancy Porzio says in the press release.

The Emerging Leaders program is designed to provide business owners with the tools and expert guidance to stimulate sustained business growth. Porzio claims Emerging Leaders graduates across the country have reported as high as a 62 percent increase in revenue.