BENTON HARBOR — The application period for POWER 2018 women’s classes is now open. Business owners are invited to sign up to participate.

POWER 2018 begins April 10, and runs through June 21. Classes are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Cornerstone Alliance offices, 80 W. Main St., Benton Harbor. The fee is $175.

Since 2013, more than 25 female entrepreneurs have graduated from the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance Promoting Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs Program armed with the resources and skills needed to launch and grow a small business.

POWER is an 11-week program available to female entrepreneurs residing in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties who have an idea to open or grow an existing small business. The program seeks to offer a comprehensive curriculum focused on the success and sustainability of entrepreneurs at various levels. Courses include business planning, financing, operations planning, and marketing. Regional business professionals, many who are entrepreneurs, teach the classes.

Female entrepreneurs interested in applying for this year’s program have until 4 p.m. Friday, March 2, to submit
their application.

The POWER Selection Committee will review completed applications received by the deadline. Individuals meeting the criteria will be invited for a personal interview to discuss entrepreneurial goals. POWER 2018 is accepting up to 10
entrepreneurs.

At the end of the program, each participant will have a completed business plan that they will pitch to a panel of local business leaders.

2016 POWER alumna, Erin Bennett and owner of Final Design, a custom kitchen and bath design business in St. Joseph, said she benefitted from the program.

“The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance has encouraged and inspired my dream of opening a kitchen and bath showroom,” Bennett said. “Going through the POWER program gave me the knowledge and tools to grow my business from a home-based design business into a thriving storefront. I cannot thank them enough for their invaluable support.”

For more information on POWER 2018, contact Dubelsa Mata at (269) 925-6100 or email her at dmata@cstonealliance.org. Download an application here.

Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services provides technical, business and financial assistance to small businesses with emphasis on income disadvantaged and women owned businesses. The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance and Microloan Program are funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applications are now open for POWER 2018 and can be downloaded here: files.constantcontact.com.