By Contributed Photos,Press Release

Copyright mvariety

(CNMI SBDC) — The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at Northern Marianas College, in partnership with Bank of Hawai‘i, proudly announced the successful conclusion of the 2025 Bank of Hawai‘i Small Business Revitalization & Development Grant, also known as the I Kinometi Para I Kumunidåt I Islå-ta Grant.

This year’s program once again provided critical financial support and resources to small business owners across the CNMI, equipping them with tools to recover, grow, and achieve long-term sustainability in today’s evolving economy.

From August 11–15, 2025, dozens of small businesses applied for the competitive grant. By the application deadline on August 15, 2025, a total of 61 competitive applications were received at the Bank of Hawai‘i Gualo Rai Branch. Applications were carefully reviewed and scored by Bank of Hawai‘i, ultimately selecting five of the strongest proposals representing various industries.

A highlight of this year’s program was the Smart Money Seminar, held on August 20 and 21, 2025, where Bank of Hawai‘i Guam Commercial Banking Center leaders Vincent Perez, vice president and commercial banking officer, and Rita C. Jugo, vice president, served as guest presenters. The expert-led sessions equipped entrepreneurs with essential knowledge on the ABCs of Credit, financial management strategies, and credit readiness. Attendance at one seminar session was mandatory for all applicants, underscoring the program’s unique approach of pairing financial assistance with financial education. The training component is directly in line with both the SBDC and Bank of Hawai‘i’s mission to train and prepare aspiring and new small businesses for success.

On Sept. 12, 2025, grant recipients were officially announced at Northern Marianas College-Board of Regents conference room. Five outstanding small businesses were awarded funding, selected from a strong pool of applicants whose proposals demonstrated innovation, resilience, and commitment to community impact.

“Seeing both sessions filled to capacity and participants deeply engaged shows the strong commitment our community has to building financial knowledge and stability. We’re grateful to Bank of Hawaii for partnering with us to make these seminars possible and for investing in the financial well-being of our islands,” said Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol, CNMI SBDC network director.

For the fourth consecutive year, Bank of Hawai‘i has partnered with the CNMI SBDC to deliver this impactful program. The CNMI SBDC and Bank of Hawai‘i remain dedicated to strengthening the local economy by supporting the resilience, innovation, and growth of entrepreneurs throughout the islands.

For more information about the grant, future training opportunities, or small business support services, contact the CNMI SBDC Lead Center at (670) 237-6888 or email cnmisbdc@marianas.edu/. Follow @cnmisbdc on Facebook and Instagram for updates.