In many ways, St. Louis is at a crossroads.
Our community faces a number of challenges. We see them in the news every day. The key to whether we succeed in overcoming these challenges is in how we respond. Will we wait for someone else to take action? Or will we make a difference ourselves?
Earlier this year, Regions Bank and business and community partners throughout the area came together to discuss some of the core issues affecting our community. Those issues are well known. Poverty. Housing. Jobs. Education. Access to opportunities. The need for local businesses to succeed. And many, many more.
Let’s be honest. Each of these issues is too big for any one person or organization to solve. But when we unite, we can make a real difference. And when you address the root causes of our challenges, you can have a greater impact on people and communities throughout the area.
As businesspeople, we have the skills and experience to help in terms of economics, job creation, community investments, supporting small businesses and providing financial education. That’s why teams from Regions and the St. Louis Regional Chamber decided to work together to bring a unique opportunity to St. Louis for the first time.
That opportunity is called Inner City Capital Connections, or “ICCC.” It’s a long name. But, in short, ICCC represents a breakthrough for many entrepreneurs and business owners in urban or economically underserved communities.
Throughout our region, from main street businesses to tech companies, entrepreneurs and home-grown businesses offer critical solutions to our challenges. ICCC provides executive-level business education designed to help these entrepreneurs and business owners grow their companies, serve more customers and, in turn, create more jobs.
And, as the name suggests, the program can ultimately connect local businesses with capital – capital that serves as an investment, creating more business opportunities and more wealth in underserved areas. This is crucial to helping solve the challenges of poverty, unemployment and more.
Educators from Harvard Business School, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and Washington University will take part in ICCC. Financing professionals will participate. Local business experts will be there.
Together, they will teach business owners how to navigate the challenges they face, how to grow their companies responsibly and how to reach their long-term goals.
This program levels the playing field. It gives businesses access and opportunities that, otherwise, they might not have.
And it’s free. Due to financial support from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Regions Bank, ICCC is offered to local business owners at no cost. The reason is simple. As businesses in our area succeed, St. Louis succeeds. When businesses grow and hire more people, they’re able to give back to the community. They can contribute more to the quality of life. They provide hope and opportunities for families through new jobs.
ICCC has made a tremendous difference in cities across the country. Now it’s St. Louis’ turn.
Businesses that apply and are accepted into the program will receive one-on-one coaching and intense education sessions during an all-day business seminar coming up September 29 at Washington University’s Cortex Innovation Community. Beyond the seminar, webinars, follow-up opportunities and a national ICCC program are available to eligible companies.
If you’re a business owner in St. Louis or the surrounding area, there is still time to apply, but that time is running out.
Yes, St. Louis faces many challenges. But what inspires us is how we see people responding to – and overcoming – those challenges.
Bringing ICCC to St. Louis is one way the business community can help. For entrepreneurs and business owners, participating in ICCC is one way you can help – by empowering yourself, and your business, with skills and strategies to help you reach the next level.
We invite you to join us as we take this crucial step toward strengthening our community. Apply now. Encourage others to do the same. And remember – as you succeed, St. Louis succeeds.
You have until August 31 to apply. ICCC has already received dozens of applications, so we encourage you to apply now while there’s still room. You can visit the ICCC website at www.iccapitalconnections.org to learn more about the program, which companies can qualify and how to apply.
Mike Hart is Midwest Area President for Regions Bank, where he oversees banking operations throughout Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Western Kentucky. He serves on the boards of the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Regional Business Council, St. Louis United Way and Operation HOPE Midwest.
