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Colorado Small Business Development Centers offering business training scholarships

DENVER - Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) and Kimco Realty Corporation are partnering to provide business training scholarships to first-time business owners in Colorado. 

Recently, Kimco launched the KEYS program (Kimco's Entrepreneurs Year Start) - an incubator program for entrepreneurs seeking to launch their first retail venture, service operation or restaurant in Colorado. Participants of the KEYS program are then placed into Kimco shopping centers with one year of free rent and additional benefits. Part of the criteria to apply for KEYS is a completed business plan and a graduation certificate from the Colorado SBDC's Leading Edge program - a 12-15 week business planning course held statewide. 

Interested participants can apply for a 75% tuition reimbursement on their Leading Edge fees by applying for a KEYS scholarship. To be eligible, participants must be willing to open their venture in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Englewood or Lakewood, where Kimco currently has available shopping center space.

For more information and to find information on how to apply, visit http://www.coloradosbdc.org/training/leading-edge-business-training-programs/keys-program.

About Colorado Small Business Development Centers

In partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the SBDC is dedicated to helping small businesses throughout Colorado achieve their goals by providing free, confidential counseling and various training programs. The SBDC combines information and resources from federal, state and local governments with those of the education system and private sector to meet the specialized and complex needs of the small business community. Consulting experts work in partnership to provide entrepreneurs with crucial information that can mean the difference between success and failure.