APS Business Academy Accepting Applications
Mentoring Program Free to Participants

May 27, 2009

Applications are being accepted for the 2009 APS Academy for the Advancement of Small, Minority and Women-owned Enterprises (AAAME).

Prospective participants can obtain applications at www.pinnaclewest.com/AAAME or by calling (602) 250-4712. The deadline to apply is June 26, and interviews will be conducted in July. Participation in the program is free to those accepted.

Launched by APS in 1997, the purpose of this program is to teach small-business owners the skills necessary to reach the next level of business success. Since AAAME’s inception, 130 small business owners in the Valley have attended business training classes, built networks, developed resources and met with individual advisors.

This two-year mentoring program combines business skill training, one-on-one mentoring, group projects, and individualized goal setting and action plans. AAAME participants meet once a week for the first four months. Then, for the balance of the two years, they will meet at least once a month with their assigned advisors, as well as twice a month as a group.

“Encouraging the growth of new, emerging business is critical to a healthy, vibrant community," said Rena Huber,ـdirector of AAAME.ـ"The creativity and innovation that new, growing companies bring to a community are vital to a thriving economic base.”

In addition to improving their business skills, graduates of AAAME have gone on to earn such distinctions as the Greater Phoenix Chamber Small Business of the Year, and the Arizona State University Spirit of Enterprise Award.

The next session is scheduled to begin in September and will be held at the AAAME office, 400 N. 5^th St., in Phoenix. To qualify for AAAME, applicants should have established business operations for at least one year and display a potential to grow.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves more than 1 million customers throughout the state. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the largest subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

Damon Gross, APS Media
(602) 250-2269