SBA community navigator pilot program
Strengthening Communities One Business at a Time
Following the SBA’s requested Hub-and-Spoke model, Maui Economic Development Board (皇冠体育官网) and several Hawaiian and Maui based Community Development organizations and partners will provide training and technical assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved and remote locations in Maui County and the State of Hawaii thanks to a $1M U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) grant, called the Community Navigator Pilot Program.
The Program is designed to reduce barriers that underrepresented and underserved businesses, entrepreneurs, and those considering starting a business often face in accessing the programs they need to recover, grow, or start their businesses. Research shows that the amount of Community-based, Remote and Native-owned business is scarce in today’s market due to structural barriers Community-based, Remote and Native-owned businesses and entrepreneurs face in business ownership and creation. Rooted within the communities the Hub and Spokes are instrumental in reaching under-serviced and Native communities by providing culturally relevant, economic development services.
Acting as a “Hub,” 皇冠体育官网 will serve as a centralized, lead organization and leverage our long-standing relationships with other grassroots organizations as “Spokes.” Through this model, government resources will be more effectively distributed to reach small business owners and entrepreneurs in the underserved and remote Communities.
Through the Community Navigator Pilot Program, SBA is engaging with states, local governments, SBA resource partners, and other organizations in targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities.
The program offers funding to nonprofits, state and local governments, universities, and tribal entities to partner with SBA at the center of a hub and spoke network. These hubs then support spoke organizations – trusted, culturally knowledgeable local groups and individuals – who will connect to specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community to provide assistance during economic recovery, including:
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- financial assistance and access to capital
- contracting and procurement
- marketing, operations, business development, and exporting
- industry-specific training
For additional information, see SBA’s Information Notice: Use of Community Navigators to Provide Technical Assistance
Funded (in part) through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
meet the six maui county spokes:
Hawai‘i Small Business Developement Center
The Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center, established in 1990, provides professional business advice, research and training to business owners and new entrepreneurs in order to promote growth, innovation, productivity and management improvement.
Ho’aka Mana
Ho’aka Mana is a proud non-profit organization with the mission to inspire happier and healthier families through experiences and education based on Native Hawaiian practices.
Purple Mai‘a
On a mission to inspire and educate the next generation of culturally grounded, community serving technology makers.
Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce
Members of the Chamber associate and work with other businesses committed to strengthening the position of the growing number of Filipino businesses on Maui. Educational seminars and workshops are offered throughout the year.
Lāna‘i Chamber of Commerce
Our main objective is to promote business and community growth and development by designing economic programs to strengthen and expand the income potential of all businesses on Lānaʻi.
meet the four maui county partners:
University of Hawai‘i Maui College
Affordable, convenient, and a haven for opportunity- At UH Maui College, we offer an array of degrees, certificates, and extended learning programs.
Maui County Office of Economic Development (Kuaho)
The OED works in partnership with the community, business and government sectors to strengthen and diversify the economy by supporting existing businesses while assisting in the attraction, development and expansion of new businesses and events that will in turn provide new jobs for our community.
Voices of Micronesians of Maui
VoMOM is a coalition of people from the various islands in Micronesia seeking to empower and acculturate Micronesians by building bridges and relationships among the islands of Yap, Kosrae, Chuuk, Pohnpei, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau, according to an announcement.
Weekly Seminars
Monday: Women of Health. 5:00PM, email info@a5service.com for more information |
Tuesday: Minority Certifications. 12:00 PM (noon), email info@a5service.com for more information |
Wednesday: Community, Business Coaching. TBD, email info@a5service.com for more information |
Thursday: Community, Train the Trainer. 5:30PM, email info@a5service.com for more information |
Friday: Community, Vendor Diversity. 10:00AM, email info@a5service.com for more information |
2022 SBA Community Navigator Programs: Event, Training, and Coach Schedule
Women in Business Seminar Series, January 12:00PM (noon) |
Spoke Meeting, January |
Women in Business Seminar Series, February 12:00PM (noon) |
Women in Business Seminar Series. Kelly Ireland, CBT, and Barbara Myrick, B & M Construction talk-story, March 22nd, click here to register |
Women in Business Seminar Series, April 12:00PM (noon) |
Women in Business Seminar Series, May 12:00PM (noon) |
Voices of Micronesia Conference, May 25th, in person |
Women in Business Seminar Series, June 12:00PM (noon) |
Lanai Business Conference, June 15th |
Women in Business Seminar Series: 4 Woman-Owned Businesses in Hawai, July 21st at 12:00PM (noon), click here to register |
Lanai Business Conference, July 12th |
Women in Business Seminar Series, August 12:00PM (noon) |
Molokai Business Conference, August 3rd |
Women in Business Seminar Series: Large Companies have Vendor Diversity Requirements, Can you meet them?, September 1st at 12:00PM (noon), click here to register |
Hana Business Conference, September, contact info@a5service.com for more information |
Women in Business Seminar Series, October 27th at 12:00PM (noon) |
Made in Maui Business Conference, October |
Women in Business Seminar Series, November 17th at 12:00PM (noon) |
Purple Mai’a Business Conference, November 22nd at Lanai |
Women in Business Seminar Series, December 14th at 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, December |
2023 Event, Training, and Coach Schedule
Women in Business Seminar Series, January 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, January |
Community Business Conference, Febuary |
Women in Business Seminar Series, Febuary 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, March |
Women in Business Seminar Series, March 12:00PM (noon) |
Women in Business Seminar Series, April 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, April |
Women in Business Seminar Series, May 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, May |
Women in Business Seminar Series, June 12:00PM (noon) |
Molokai Business Conference, July |
Women in Business Seminar Series, July 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, August |
Women in Business Seminar Series, August 12:00PM (noon) |
Women in Business Seminar Series, September 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, September |
Women in Business Seminar Series, October 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, October |
Women in Business Seminar Series, November 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, November |
Women in Business Seminar Series, December 12:00PM (noon) |
Community Business Conference, December |