SAIPAN — Small businesses rebuilding after two super typhoons have a week to apply for a shot at $5,000. The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network, hosted by Northern Marianas College, announced the continuation of its partnership with Bank of Hawaii for the fifth consecutive year, opening applications for the I Kinometi Para I Kuminidat I Isla-ta Small Business Revitalization and Development Grant program.
The competitive program will award up to five $5,000 grants to selected small businesses, with funds intended to help businesses revitalize operations, expand services or develop new projects. Applications opened Friday and will be accepted until Saturday, August 15 at 1 p.m. at the Bank of Hawaii Gualo Rai Branch at Springs Plaza on Middle Road, with forms available for download at cnmisbdc.com.
All applicants must attend a Smart Money Seminar, offered twice to accommodate schedules: Wednesday, August 19 with guest speaker Vincent Perez, Vice President and Commercial Banking Officer of the Bank of Hawaii Guam Commercial Banking Center, and Thursday, August 20 with guest speaker Rita C. Jugo, Vice President of the Bank of Hawaii Guam Commercial Banking Center. Both sessions run in person from 5 to 6 p.m. at Unit 11 of the Beach Road Plaza commercial building in Garapan, covering an overview of the grant and a workshop on the ABCs of Credit.
“With businesses recovering post-Super Typhoon Sinlaku and Bavi, the much-needed infusion of capital will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the program’s awardees and their business operations,” said Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol, Network Director of the CNMI SBDC Network. “We are incredibly grateful for Bank of Hawaii’s continued partnership with the SBDC and NMC, their leadership and their commitment to giving back to the Commonwealth’s businesses through this generous grant program.”
