First Tennessee Bank awarded the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga a $25,000 grant this week that will enable it to induct more students into its Next- Level Chattanooga business class.
The seven-month-long nationally recognized entrepreneurship program uses the award-winning streetwise MBA curriculum to assist its students in reaching the next level, said Warren E. Logan Jr., president and CEO of the Urban League.
The first class in 2015 included about a dozen CEOs who had operated their businesses for at least three years. First Tennessee's funding enables the Urban League to accept up to 20 CEOs to participate this year.
"We are thrilled to be able to support the Urban League in its efforts to help small businesses in Chattanooga prosper," said First Tennessee's Market President Jeff Jackson in a First Tennessee Bank news release.
Jackson and Community Development Manager Tracee Smith presented the Urban League the $25,000 check on Tuesday.
The next class starts June 16. Applicants are still being accepted but cannot be accepted after the class starts, said Logan.
There is no application fee. Participants are responsible for a program material and supplies fee of $1,500, according to nextlevelchatt.com.
NextLevel Chattanooga graduate Wendy Buckner, owner of The Hot Chocolatier, said the class revealed several ways to improve her business.
"It was a big eye opener to help me realize what I needed to do," said Buckner. "They teach you to step back and look at how things are functioning and what you could delegate to help you have the time to do the things you need to do to grow your business."
Buckner was named the Urban League's 2016 Women owned business of the year.
Other NextLevel Chattanooga graduates are from companies including John P. Franklin Funeral Home, RMJ Tactical, Dish T' Pass Cooking School & Catering Co. and CIB Enterprises.
NextLevel Chattanooga targets the CEOs of companies that have operated for at least three years and generate from $200,000 to $10 million a year in revenues.
The Urban League started the class after talking with business owners who told Urban League representatives that although there was a lot of focus on helping start up businesses, more attention should be given to help existing businesses get to the next level.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.