INDIANAPOLIS – May 17, 2022 – The deadline is drawing near for Central Indiana entrepreneurs to apply for a no-cost, high-impact business training program Regions Bank is bringing to the Circle City for the first time with support from Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office leadership and the Indy Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council.
The program, Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), is a coaching and training opportunity designed to empower small-business owners in under-resourced communities by providing tailored insights and strategies on how to grow their companies and build long-term success.
“Enhancing equity and economic opportunity is a top priority for Mayor Joe Hogsett and the City of Indianapolis,” said Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas. “In that spirit, we are proud to support ICCC as they give local entrepreneurs a chance to hone their business acumen and achieve their goals.”
ICCC is conducted by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), a national nonprofit founded in 1984 by Harvard Business School Professor Dr. Michael Porter to advance inclusive prosperity for small-business owners in economically distressed urban areas.
ICCC is offered at no cost due to financial support provided by Regions Bank and community partners. The bank has previously sponsored ICCC programs in Houston, St. Louis, Atlanta and Tampa, among other cities.
“ICCC is a small-business game changer in how it connects local business owners with leading educators, as well as business coaches, to give them powerful insights on practical ways to grow their companies,” said Erik Miner, market executive for Regions Bank in Indianapolis. “We’ve seen the impact this program delivers in empowering entrepreneurs to take their companies to the next level. That’s the key reason why we’re bringing it to Indianapolis as part of our commitment to advancing small businesses.”
Research by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City shows ICCC program alumni averaging 120% revenue growth, collectively creating more than 23,000 jobs and raising $2.3 billion in capital.
Qualified local companies that are accepted into the program will be invited to participate in an intense, day-long ICCC training conference scheduled for Wednesday, June 15 at the Shelton Auditorium on Butler University’s South Campus at 1000 W. 42nd St. The deadline for business owners to apply is Friday, May 27.
The ICCC workshop covers topics ranging from finance and marketing to strategic planning, management and more. Additionally, one-on-one peer coaching is offered for entrepreneurs to share their experiences and learn how to address their own unique challenges and opportunities.
Participants also receive access to follow-up webinars and have the potential to take part in a national ICCC conference to build on their training over time.
“At a time when small business owners are working hard to emerge stronger from the pandemic, we’re offering common-sense advice and coaching they’ll be able to put into practice immediately,” said Steve Grossman, CEO of ICIC. “Armed with these valuable tools, most participants will be much more successful securing the capital they need to realize their full potential.”
Companies selected by ICCC to participate in the program should be growth-oriented businesses that have their headquarters or more than 51% of their physical operations in or near urban or economically underserved areas. Companies may also participate if more than 40% of their employees reside in an economically underserved area.
A complete list of eligibility requirements can be found here. The online application form for small business is available via this link. Members of the public may also nominate small businesses for consideration. ICCC’s online nomination form, linked here, serves as a portal for submitting information. An ICCC representative will follow up with nominated organizations to further discuss the program.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $164 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,300 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.