FRESNO – Kaiser Permanente Fresno is partnering with a national organization, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City to support small businesses with a goal of increasing high quality jobs in under-served communities in Fresno County and surrounding communities to help improve overall community health.
Kaiser Permanente sponsors the organization’s Inner City Capital Connections program, which offers local businesses a tuition free, 40 hour mini MBA program that combines executive education, webinars, coaching and avenues to seek capital. Leaders from businesses selected to participate will be given the opportunity to complete the 40 hour program that has been proven in other cities to help small businesses accelerate to their next stage of growth.
The program culminates in a national conference, which will be presented virtually this year due to the current pandemic. This brings together participants across the country for networking, education and connections to capital providers and anchor institutions.
To be eligible for the program the business must be independent, for-profit or non-profit corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship with its headquarters of more than 51% of its physical operations located in an economically distressed area or have more than 40% of employees residing in an economically distressed area and has been in operation for two years or more, and past the proof of concept stage. Start up companies are not eligible for this program.
“At Kaiser Permanente Fresno we want local economies to thrive,” Kaiser Permanente Fresno Senior Vice President and Area Manager Wade Nogy said. “We know that healthy economies
lead to healthier communities, which is central to Kaiser Permanente’s mission.”
For more information and to apply click here, applications being accepted until Aug. 7th, 2020.
“We’re delighted to work with Kaiser Permanente and many community partners to provide
critical educational and capital resources to small businesses struggling to survive and thrive in
the current environment,” said Steve Grossman, CEO, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City.
About Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)
ICIC is a national, nonprofit research and advisory organization founded in 1994. ICIC’s mission is to drive economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private sector investment to create jobs, income and wealth for residents.
For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
