DETROIT – The U.S. Small Business Administration isn’t waiting. In the face of economic challenges and low growth rates in many of America’s inner cities, the SBA has taken swift action – where it’s needed most – by providing a bold new strategy to help revitalize and transform America’s inner city business communities. The initiative, called Emerging 200, is sharply focused on helping owners of small businesses in Detroit’s hard pressed communities achieve their full potential.

“Entrepreneurs are critical to Michigan’s economy,” said SBA Michigan District Director Richard Temkin. “They have the power to bring lasting, positive change to communities through economic development. This is particularly important in neighborhoods where some of the challenges are high unemployment and poverty.”

The SBA Michigan District Office has selected 16 small businesses in Detroit for participation in the e200 Class of 2009:

Applied Power and Controls, Inc., Michael Macklin, President/CEO

Atlas Global Bistro, Nicole Barbour, President/CEO

Atlas Wholesale Food Company, Mike Kotsis, Chief Operating Officer

Eclipse Creative, Eric Longs, President/CEO

Federal Pipe & Supply Co., Inc., Leon Saperstein, Chief Financial Officer

Flora Construction, Inc., Ken Phalore, President/CEO

Foster Finish Corporation, Lawrence Foster, President/CEO

FutureNet Group, Inc., Perry Mehta, President/CEO

Meade Distributing Company , Kevin Meade, President/CEO

Miller Protection Services, Inc., Robert J. Miller, President/CEO

MKS, Inc., Creflo R. Mims, President/CEO

Rivers Investments Management Group, Ronald Rivers, President/CEO

SPARKLE Janitorial Service, M. Loretta Watson, President/CEO

Total Pack Management, LLC, Darrell Parish, President/CEO

Vulcanmasters Welding Company, Inc., Roger Pappas, President/CEO

Walker-Miller Energy Services, Carla Walker-Miller, President/CEO

The goal of e200 is to identify inner city businesses across the country that show a high potential for growth and to provide them the network, resources and training required to build a growing, sustainable business. SBA has contracted with InnerCity Entrepreneurs to conduct the training for SBA’s Emerging 200 Initiative. On a local level, Mark S. Lee of The Lee Group, MI LLC has been subcontracted to instruct the training. The SBA Michigan District Office provides local management oversight.

Small business executives in the e200 initiative participate in an intensive program, draw from each other’s experiences, develop connections with local capital providers, and complete a growth plan by the end of the program. The cornerstone of e200 is an in-depth educational program of 100 hours from April through November, 2009. The training covers such topics as organization, financial management, growth strategies, market development, and strategic planning. The program also includes CEO mentoring sessions among the participants. Participation in the e200 is offered free of charge to the participants.

Cosponsoring the Initiative with the SBA Michigan District Office to bring e200 to Detroit are:

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

Detroit Regional Chamber

Mayor’s Office of Targeted Business Development

Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Michigan Minority Business Development Council

Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center

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