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Owners of Mello Velo Credit US SBA Program with their Expansion to Erie Boulevard in Syracuse

A bright lime green building along Erie Boulevard East in Syracuse is attracting bicyclists and the general public to stop in.  The owners of Mello Velo wanted to expand and relocate from the Westcott community to Erie Boulevard, not far from the SU Hill. 

It’s one of several businesses that have taken advantage of the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program.  After taking a tour yesterday, Congressmember John Katko says he was impressed with the shop’s success.

“The Mello Velo bicycle shop and cafe provide unique service to the central New York community. Their thriving operation is a perfect example of how New York small businesses are jump started by the resources offered by this initiative.”

In addition to bike repair, the new Mello Velo location now offers bike sales and a café / bar combo.  Sara and Steve Morris purchased the building after completing the SBA program.  Sara says the program prepared her for several challenging facets of running a business.

“We are here today because of this program. Just the financing hurdles that you have to go through as a small business. Just becoming literate so you can look at the numbers and understand the big picture.”

The 7 month program is a 100 hour commitment between classes, homework, and peer-on-peer consulting.  According to Syracuse SBA Director Bernard Paprocki, the program is equivalent to a masters degree in business level training.  

"The program will begin on Tuesday, April 23rd at the (Syracuse) Tech Garden and will conclude with graduation in November.  We're going to accept approximately 15 to 20 businesses this year into the class and the invidual(s) accepted has to agree to attend all 13 courses." 

Applications from established businesses at least three years-old are due March 29th.   Classes begin in April.  Click here to learn more.

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.