Iona College business students are getting the chance to learn what it takes to navigate the challenges of becoming business owners and community leaders with a new five-week project through the City of Mount Vernon.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard says the lessons they will learn will create a win-win situation for everyone involved.

"Small businesses are the very backbone of any community because they usually hire locals. This is why this partnership is going to be help them access resources that we have available through local, federal and state partnerships and it's going to help them provide employment opportunities for Mount Vernon,” said Patterson-Howard.

The project is also supported by the Business Council of Westchester.