Small Business Revitalization & Development Grant awardees celebrated

On Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at the Northern Marianas College and Bank of Hawaii came together to celebrate the recipients of this year’s Small Business Revitalization & Development Grant, also known as the “I Kinometi Para I Kuminidat I Isla-ta” Grant. The ceremony took place at NMC’s As Terlaje Campus in the Board of Regents Conference Room.

The event was attended by notable guests, including Frankie M. Eliptico, NMC vice president for Administration & Advancement; Michael Sakazaki, BOH senior vice president and senior market manager for Branch Banking West Pacific Market; Joanne Aldan, assistant branch manager for BOH CNMI; Nadine C. Deleon Guerrero, CNMI SBDC Network director; and Mercilynn Palec, CNMI SBDC associate network director.

The “I Kinometi Para I Kuminidat I Isla-ta” Grant is an initiative aimed at revitalizing and supporting small businesses in the CNMI, providing each recipient with $5,000 to help them innovate, expand, and strengthen their operations. This year’s five grant recipients are all clients of the CNMI SBDC Network: Isla Consultancy Services, LLC, represented by Alexandra Villagomez; Mechille Corp., represented by Rens Belo; Peska CNMI, LLC dba Peska Tackle, represented by Vince Tudela; TilSteel, LLC dba Divine’s Essentials, represented by Jake Hocog; and Niric, LLC dba Eastside Cuts, represented by Edgar Duenas Niric.

The ceremony was filled with commendable remarks from the distinguished guests. Sakazaki emphasized that while the grant is awarded to only five recipients each year, Bank of Hawaii remains committed to supporting the broader community through financial literacy programs, welcoming all small businesses to seek guidance and support. Nadine Deleon Guerrero noted that through her business advising work, she has observed that a common challenge among small businesses is access to capital, and this grant from Bank of Hawaii is a significant step in bridging that gap. Eliptico expressed NMC’s appreciation for Bank of Hawaii’s long-standing support for higher education dating back to 2018 where he highlighted the construction of a business class simulator for the School of Business students at the college. Unfortunately, just a few weeks after its completion, the space was damaged due to Super Typhoon Yutu.

The event also featured a special guest, Cameron Atalig, general manager of Tupu Cane Juice, a locally-owned and family-operated small business, and a recipient of last year’s grant. Atalig shared how the grant was instrumental in putting Tupu Cane Juice on the right track with their marketing efforts and in establishing their farming infrastructure.

Each of the five grant recipients shared how the $5,000 grant will help address various areas in their businesses, from overcoming current challenges to fostering innovation and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Jake Hocog of Divine’s Essentials expressed his eagerness to procure a food truck, which will allow the business to become more accessible to the community.

Vince Tudela of Peska Tackle highlighted the need for proper signages to mark their location, and how the grant will help them improve their marketing efforts to ensure customers can easily find them.

Rens Belo of Mechille Corporation shared plans to launch a new and innovative product dedicated to providing the community with an improved approach to wastewater treatment.

Alexandra Villagomez of Isla Consultancy Services, LLC, spoke about how the grant provides a much-needed boost after the long and challenging journey of starting her business. She looks forward to using the funds to conduct student outreach to cultivate young entrepreneurs and assist other small businesses in making innovative decisions through her consultancy services.

Edgar Niric of Eastside Cuts aims to make barber services more affordable and convenient. He mentioned that the grant will bring him closer to meeting the growing demand for barber services, allowing him to hire more staff and support the local economy.

The ceremony concluded with an invitation for attendees to network, fostering connections and collaborations that are vital to the continued success and growth of small businesses in the CNMI.

CNMI SBDC and NMC remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting small businesses across the Northern Marianas. This collaboration with Bank of Hawaii is an essential component of its efforts, ensuring that local entrepreneurs have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network and the Northern Marianas College would like to express their utmost gratitude to Sakazaki, Rose Sumor, Aldan and the Bank of Hawaii team and management for allowing this important initiative and partnership to grow as businesses across the Commonwealth continue to face unprecedented economic challenges.

The CNMI SBDC Network promotes a business-friendly economic infrastructure in the community, builds entrepreneurial capacity and financial literacy within that community, and provides current and nascent small businesses with the technical assistance, counseling, training, and support they need to innovate, adapt, and grow.

The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network Network comprises the CNMI SBDC lead center located on Saipan, the Rota SBDC, and Tinian SBDC. The CNMI SBDC Network is partially funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Northern Marianas College. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Language assistance services are available for limited

English proficient individuals with at least two weeks advance notice. For arrangements, contact your local SBDC at P. O. Box 501250 Saipan, MP 96950, Tel: (670) 237-6888, or email SBDC Administrative Office manager Adelpha Magofna at adelpha.magofna@marianas.edu. Services are extended to the public on a non-disciplinary basis. (PR)