FREE WORKSHOPS TO FAMILIARIZE NEW, ASPIRING BUSINESS OWNERS WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING, SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING

TRENTON, N.J. (August 1, 2006) – Free workshops on business planning and financing designed to familiarize new and aspiring small-business owners with the popular Entrepreneurial Training Institute (ETI) curriculum and what it takes to start, grow and operate a successful company have been scheduled during the late summer and early fall at eight New Jersey locations.

By attending one of the free workshops, interested individuals can decide if the ETI program is right for them before they register and pay a nonrefundable course fee. Lender representatives will also attend each workshop to present information about their technical assistance services and resources.

The workshops have been scheduled in Jackson, Newark, North Branch, Pittsgove, Trenton, Union City (Spanish-speaking only), Voorhees and Wayne. A special workshop focusing on earned income ventures for nonprofit organizations will be offered in Jackson. Those interested in reserving a seat at one of the workshops can call the ETI program at (609) 292-9279 or visit www.njeda.gov on the Internet.

The innovative ETI program supports state initiatives to foster the growth of small businesses, particularly woman-owned and minority-owned enterprises. It is sponsored by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the New Jersey Development Authority for Small Businesses, Minorities’ and Women’s Enterprises (NJDA).

The ETI program is offered in two segments. In ETI I, “Get Set for Entrepreneurship,” students focus on small-business feasibility, examining their business ideas, evaluating skills and risks, and identifying the resources necessary to move forward. ETI II, “Business Planning,” includes four highly structured three-hour sessions that help students develop a formal business plan with feedback and coaching.

Fall ETI sessions will be offered in Newark and Wayne in northern New Jersey, Jackson, North Branch and Trenton in central New Jersey, and Voorhees and Woodstown in southern New Jersey. Specialized instruction will be available in North Brunswick on earned income ventures for nonprofits and in Union City for Spanish-speaking students. All classes will be held between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., except the North Brunswick class, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The workshops will provide more detail about the program and focus on how the ETI program can provide the tools for a small-business owner to succeed. They will also explore the importance of having a detailed business plan, the broad range of resources available to help a business get off the ground, and the mentoring assistance offered to ETI graduates.

Primary sponsors of the ETI Program are Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, PNC Bank and the Wachovia Foundation. The EDA provides financing and technical support to encourage business and job growth in New Jersey. The NJDA offers financing, technical assistance, training and mentoring programs to small businesses, especially woman-owned and minority-owned enterprises.

The dates, locations and times for the workshops are: