RENO -- Since 2000, more than 2,500 business owners and entrepreneurs from all over the state have participated in the NxLeveL Program, presented by the Nevada Small Business Development Center, a program of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business.

Offered at 25 different statewide locations, the next training in Reno will begin Sept. 6, and those interested in participating in the program are encouraged to sign up soon.

The intensive training program, designed to encourage small-business expansion and promote economic development, is the nation’s largest and most effective entrepreneurial training network. The program is offered in all 50 states, as well as American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico.

According to Kathy Carrico, administrator of the program in Nevada and director of statewide training for the NSBDC, the 13-week, 40-hour “NxLeveL for Entrepreneurs” course beginning Sept. 6 in Reno is for entrepreneurs or current business owners wanting to create or fine tune a business plan, as well as learn ways to better execute their business goals and improve their business practices.

“Self-employment is not for everyone, but those who choose this path must be smart about it, and stay smart, taking advantage of the resources that are available to help them succeed,” Carrico said. “The NxLeveL training is one of the best resources in the country, and offering it here in various locations across the state is one way the University can enhance economic development and promote entrepreneurial efforts.”

Carrico trains those who serve as instructors in the program, providing 200 instructors throughout the country with NxLeveL Instructor Certification over the past several years. She also raises funds throughout the year to reduce the cost of the program to Nevada participants from its regular price of $700 to anywhere between $200 and $400.

The program beginning next week in Reno costs $395, and will meet at the Redfield Campus, 18600 Wedge Parkway, 5:45 – 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 6 – Dec. 6, except for Thanksgiving. It will be taught by Rod Jorgensen, director of counseling at the NSBDC, who has worked with more than 9,000 Washoe County entrepreneurs and business owners over the past 20 years. He provides one-on-one counseling throughout the year in the areas of business planning, locating financing, dynamics of growth, market research, marketing and more.

To register or for more information on the upcoming training in Reno, or other NxLeveL trainings beginning in Las Vegas on Sept. 5, contact Carrico at the University of Nevada, Reno, 775-784-6879 or kcarrico@unr.edu, or go to http://nsbdc.org/education-training/nxlevel-entrepreneur-training/.