The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) is pleased to announce U.S. Bank has joined the growing list of community service affiliate partner organizations based at the Entrepreneurial Resource Centers (ERC) in San Bernardino and Temecula. The collaboration with U.S. Bank will provide small business owners and entrepreneurs personalized training on business planning and financial management.
“U.S. bank recognizes that entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our economy, and it is a business imperative for all of us at U.S. Bank to do everything we can to help power their potential,” said Cesar Hernandez, U.S. Bank BAA leader in California and Western states.
U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches nationwide and offers consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. The year-long program will provide business assessments, workshops and training on business planning and financial management, one-on-one coaching sessions, and focused support for high-potential and ready to scale businesses.
U.S. Bank will have an office at the ERC with Business Access Advisors (BAAs) regularly onsite to serve local business owners and to help them grow and develop their businesses. The BAA services are offered for free, and entrepreneurs don’t have to be a U.S. Bank customer to work with them. The ERC BAAs are fluent in English, Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin, and it is anticipated that they will be able to help up to 300 small businesses at the ERC in the first year alone.
“We are excited to expand our relationship with U.S. Bank,” said IECE Director Dr. Michael Stull. “Many entrepreneurs lack the financial education needed to take their business to the next level. U.S. Bank will be able to provide the necessary training and resources to help these companies thrive.”
Organizations that provide unique training programs or business assistance services that address a specific need in supporting small business can join the ERC Affiliate Program and become part of the team delivering impactful services at one or both ERCs. Ideal affiliates have experience delivering technical assistance programs to small businesses, with a track record of excellence and impact. Interested organizations can learn more and apply online at: entre.csusb.edu/content/ERCapp.
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About IECE’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center Program
Located in San Bernardino and Temecula, the Entrepreneurial Resource Centers (ERC) are strategically located and easily accessible regional hubs for small business training and technical assistance. The primary focus of the ERCs is to provide business counseling, training and specialized program services and ensure that all current and aspiring small business owners have consistent access to the resources they need to start and grow their businesses. These services, provided by the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC) and Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC), aid in ensuring that both current and aspiring small business owners have a streamlined pathway of support and increased accessibility to essential resources for launching and expanding their enterprises. The ERCs are committed to fostering sustainable success by addressing inequities in small business ownership and providing targeted support focused on underrepresented and disenfranchised groups. Additionally, by enhancing coordination and collaboration among regional entrepreneurial support organizations the ERCs increase collective reach and impact. This concerted effort aims to create a seamless, accessible continuum of resources that empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners to thrive.
About CSUSB’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship
The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino is the largest and most experienced organization in the Inland Empire dedicated to supporting small business and entrepreneurship on campus for the Jack H. Brown School of Entrepreneurship, and within the community throughout the Inland Southern California region. Established in 1999, the IECE has served over 193,000 individuals and business owners with comprehensive business counseling, mentoring, innovative training programs and engaging events. These services have resulted in the creation and retention of over 42,000 jobs and an economic impact of nearly $800 million. The center is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and continues to expand its reach to all business owners to support them through the post-pandemic repopulation and beyond.
The top tier segments of the IECE include the Women’s Business Centers (IEWBC.org) (CVWBC.org), the Small Business Development Centers (IESBDC) (IEsmallbusiness.com), International Trade Development Program (cbecasia.com), Entrepreneurial Resource Center – San Bernardino (entre.csusb.edu/content/ERCSB), Entrepreneurial Resource Center – Temecula (entre.csusb.edu/content/ERCT), Palm Desert iHub (pdihub.org) and the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards (spiritawardsie.com).
To learn more about IECE and all of the programs available visit, entre.csusb.edu.