SBA Region 4 News To Share

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. December 2013 SBA Region IV News to Share Brought to you by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Region IV Office Cassius Butts Regional Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration 2014- This Year is YOUR Year It is time to think through your small business priorities for the upcoming new year. 2014 is sure to be an amazing year for small business, job creation and a strong American economy. The SBA has supported $4.8 billion in loans nationally and $625 million in loans in the Southeast so far in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 (since October 1st, 2013 to December 13, 2013). I often say that numbers speak for themselves. I would say that FY 2014 is looking great for small businesses for 2014. In addition to backing loans, the SBA prides itself on connecting with the small business communities across the United States and we are continuously making strong connections throughout the Southeastern Region. We share our news and new opportunities through many avenues.  One method is by sending this monthly newsletter out to over 175,000 subscribers. Another way we communicate with our communities is that we have partnered with Cities, Institutes of higher education, contracting organizations and Chambers throughout the Southeast through Strategic Alliance Memorandums. Our district offices, resource partners and government agency partners are instrumental in continuing to build these partnerships across communities. We thank our resource partners such as SCORE, the Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers as well as our local, state and federal partners for assisting us to build our nations backbone; the small business community. We are working diligently with resource partners to share the latest opportunities available to small businesses through the Affordable Care Act. Our district offices are delivering updated news on the ACA through webinars, speeches, panels, etc. Please be sure to check your local SBA Calendar of Events for upcoming ACA events. www.sba.gov. We are reaching out to our lenders consistently to be sure they have the tools they need from SBA to succeed. We recently held a regional conference call with several SBA lenders who have agreed to sign on to the Veteran's Pledge Initiative. These lending institutions have committed to increasing their lending to veterans by 5 percent for the next five years. We have reached out consistently to the 8(a) government contracting communities empowering the 8(a) firms to market themselves to the best of their ability in order to secure federal contracts. I have addressed the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council to stress the importance of utilizing small businesses to succeed in the national marketplace. With all of this said, 2013 has been a spectacular year for small business and we are just getting started. 2014 is sure to be the best year yet in terms of the SBA's 3 C's: Counseling, Capital, and Contracting. We look forward to embracing existing relationships and look forward to building new relationships in 2014!  Happy New Year! Congratulations to the Following SBA Staff Who Are Dedicated to Federal Service: Rosalind Bryant, Lender Relations Specialist, SBA North Florida District Office- 25 Years on December 18! Raymond Hembree, Deputy District Director, SBA Alabama District Office, celebrated 40 years of government service on November 27. Elaine Dunlap, Business Opportunity Specialist & Administrative Officer, SBA Alabama District Office, is retiring December 31 after 34 years of service. Donna Padgug, Economic Development Specialist, SBA North Florida District Office, has celebrated 30 years of federal service! Veronica Wallace, Lead Lender Relations Specialist, SBA North Florida District Office celebrates 45 years of federal service. Mike O'Neill, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, SBA South Carolina District Office is retiring January 10th after 24 years with the SBA/Federal service.  The SBA's Office of Advocacy has released a recent report: An Analysis of Internet Sales Taxation and the Small Seller Exemption .  Please find this treport by clicking HERE. Find Out What is Happening In YOUR Area! SBA Alabama District Office Tom Todt, District Director Raymond Hembree, Deputy District Director, celebrated 40 years of government service on November 27. District Director Tom Todt presented the certificate in recognition of 40 years' service to Mr. Hembree at the District office. Elaine Dunlap, BOS/AO, is retiring December 31 after 34 years of service. We will miss her dedication and service to the Alabama District. District Director Todt (left) honoring Deputy District Director Raymond Hembree (right) A big farewell and thank you to Elaine Dunlap, Business Opportunity Specialist and Administrative Officer for the SBA Alabama District Office SBA North Florida District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director The North Florida District Office hosted a workshop on the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) on December 10, 2013. The workshop was designed to provide information to small business owners on the impact of the ACA and to answer business owners' questions. Participants learned about the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) and about other aspects of the ACA that is of interest to small business owners. Future events and workshops are currently being developed, and will be announced in the new year. Please visit www.sba.gov/fl/north.   SBA South Florida District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director South Florida District Office is busy this holiday season inspiring and educating business owners and entrepreneurs throughout south Florida.  Three Affordable Care Act presentations reached more than 125 small business owners.  The Miami District held a training session in both the Miami and Tampa offices.  More than 90 other small business owners joined an online webinar that explained the new law.  Transitioning military personnel who are considering small business ownership following their uniformed service received the two-day "Boots to Business" curriculum at SFDO's three military installations:  MacDill AFB, Peterson AFB and NAS Key West.  The three sessions were attended by more than 50 military personnel and spouses. Finally, SFDOs efforts for a statewide SAM with the Florida Association of Minority Business Enterprise Officials (FAMBEO) were achieved on Nov. 21, when FAMBEO President Pamela Hart Frazier and SBA Region Administrator Cassius Butts signed the alliance.    While visions of sugar plums are dancing in the heads of many this month, SFDO is busy preparing for "Access Miami:  Gateway to International Trade in the Americas."  This day-long export trade event is scheduled for Jan. 14 at Miami's Jungle Island and in partnership with the City of Miami, Miami SCORE chapter, CITI Bank, and Espirito Santo Bank. SBA Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director After nearly 44 years of loyal, dedicated Federal Service at the SBA, Ms. Carolyn W. Griffin, the manager of the Georgia District Office's 8(a) business development program, will retire effective December 31.  The GADO 8a portfolio is among the largest in the agency.  Ms. Griffin, a Georgia native, grew up in New Jersey where she got her start with the SBA as a temp working in Disaster before she transferred in to the GADO 8a business development section in 1987.  "After considering my personal goals and my continuing journey as an individual, I believe that I have made the right decision and at the right time.  I am excited and looking forward to my new life of leisure, but of course, I am a little saddened by the thought of not seeing all of you in future days to come.  You have all, individually, and as a whole, been an inspiration to me, and I have learned things from all of you, and will take with me the fondest of memories of my time within the SBA.   "I will forever be grateful to the SBA for having given me one of the greatest opportunities of my life – to help GA small businesses develop, grow and prosper through the 8(a) Business Development Program.  Though it is a time for me to move on, it is an opportune time for someone else to lead the 8(a) Team to greater heights, as it is time to for me to take myself to greater heights as an individual" said Ms. Griffin.  Ms. Carolyn Griffin waves goodbye after more than four decades of dedicated service to the small business community.   Photo by:  Mark D. Gibson SBA Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director The SBA Kentucky District Office, in conjunction with AARP, the Louisville Free Public Library and SCORE, held an Encore Entrepreneur event, targeted those who want to explore entrepreneurship, at the Main Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library on December 13.  This program is part of a larger effort by AARP and SBA to provide a range of resources to more than 100,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners over the age of 50.  With one in four individuals ages 44 to 70 interested in becoming entrepreneurs, and 63 percent of Americans planning to work during retirement, small business ownership is a good option.  Small business owners with long-term counselors see bigger sales, hire more workers and are more successful.  The Kentucky District Office provided an overview of SBA programs, including loan programs, no-cost counseling services and contracting opportunities available to small business owners.  The public library staff discussed free software for entrepreneurs on website and phone app development as well as market research resources and assistance available through the library.  AARP staff examined programs and services for small business owners, and SCORE offered "speed mentoring" sessions to all attendees to fast-track business ideas and connect to SBA's resource partner counselors in the region.   SBA Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director On Wednesday, December 11th the SBA Mississippi District Office hosted an ACA Resource Fair in a joint effort partnered with various resources and healthcare organizations to help get the word out to small businesses about this new law.  There were nearly 50 people in attendance. This event offered a unique educational experience for small business owners to hear from healthcare officials, state and federal entities charged with informing the public of best practices, tools and resources in utilizing the new healthcare law.  Participants included the Office of the State Insurance Commissioner; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Humana; Magnolia Health Plan; Health Help Mississippi and the Jackson State University Small Business Development Center. SBA North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director The North Carolina Bankers Association hosted the 2013 North Carolina SBA Lenders Award Luncheon in Charlotte at the Hilton University Place on Tuesday December 3, 2013. The top SBA Lenders in North Carolina were honored. Over 30 lending institutions were represented. The day started with a training session for lenders on the new SOP changes and details of the fee eliminations effective for 2014. Thanks to all the lenders for all their participation and congratulations to the winners! For a  complete listing SBA lenders in North Carolina, please visit HERE. SBA South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director The South Carolina District Office announces four new small business and advocacy awards for 2014: The SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) Award (for South Carolina businesses with 15 or fewer employees)   Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year Small Business Financing Advocate of the Year Small Business Ally of the Year (for non-profit organizations) Other categories include the SBA's Small Business Person and Small Business Exporter of the Year awards and South Carolina's own Family Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year (under 30 years-old), Minority Entrepreneurship Advocate of the Year, and Women in Business Advocate of the Year awards.  For the full list of small business and advocacy awards, see http://1.usa.gov/1cldr0A.  Deadlines range from January 17 to January 31, 2014.  All South Carolina award winners will be honored at the 2014 Salute to Small Business, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, in Columbia during the week leading up to National Small Business Week May 12-16. For more information, contact Anna Huntley at anna.huntley@sba.gov. A Big Farewell! Mike O'Neill, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist for the South Carolina District Office, will be retiring on January 10 after nearly 24 years with the SBA. Since April 2008, Mike has managed the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program in South Carolina, where he has helped socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners increase their viability and competitiveness. Prior to joining the South Carolina District Office, Mike was a Business Opportunity Specialist in the Virginia District Office for seven years. From 1995 to 2001, he was the Assistant District Director for 8(a) Business Development in the Hawaii District Office. Earlier in his SBA career, Mike served as both a Loan Specialist and Business Opportunity Specialist for the Washington, D.C. and New Mexico district offices and briefly served as a financial analyst for the 504 Loan Program at SBA Headquarters. Before his government service, Mike was President and CEO of the United Services Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. An Oklahoma native, Mike is a graduate of Central State College and of the Memphis State University School of Banking.  SBA Tennessee District Office Walter Perry, District Director The Tennessee District signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with American Baptist College (ABC) in Nashville on December 6 enabling SBA and this Historically Black College & University (HBCU) to partner in areas of mutual interest to the college and small business community.  The agreement, signed by ABC President Dr. Forrest E. Harris, Sr. and SBA District Director Walter Perry, will enable SBA to interact with faculty and students in areas such as entrepreneurship and business planning to strengthen and expand small business development in the Nashville area.  The signing was attended by U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee's Fifth Congressional District, who played a key role in supporting American Baptist in its application to attain HBCU status which was granted earlier this year. The Tennessee District staff held workshops recently in Chattanooga and Cleveland on the Affordable Care Act along with upcoming webinars on December 17 and 19 to advocate opportunities for small business employers to provide health insurance.  Also, District staff appeared on WFSK-FM radio in Nashville to highlight provisions of the ACA.  Additional workshops held recently in the District include a December 13 training on quality assurance for 8(a) government contractors and a  Boots to Business training on starting a small business for personnel soon to be completing military service at the Naval Support Activity in Millington, Tennessee on December 10-11.   Connect with us for news and resources UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION Find events in your area! Nominate a Small Biz Today! Nominate Someone For National Small Business Week! Recent SBA Lending Activity SBA Region IV Office 233 Peachtree St. NE Harris Tower Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 Email: region_4@sba.gov www.sba.gov Region IV Office Directory Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator Mark Berson, Regional Advocate Phone: 404-331-3081     Email: mark.berson@sba.gov Matthew Mitchell, Administrative Resource Coordinator Phone: 404-331-4943     Email: matthew.mitchell@sba.gov Lola Kress, Regional Communications Director Phone: 404-331-2798    Email: lola.kress@sba.gov     SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Your Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help STAY CONNECTED: All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis | Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance  This email was sent to sjr3gb659yw41fx.jjjzz@blogger.com by Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

SBA Region 4 News To Share

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. November 2013 SBA Region IV News To Share Brought to you by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Region IV Office Cassius Butts Regional Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration Shop Small this Saturday!! We all have a lot to be thankful for this season.  I am especially thankful for the small businesses that are the driving force behind our robust economy.  As I visit small business owners across the Southeast, I am encouraged by what they are sharing with me. Energy is high, outlooks are positive and small business owners are following their passion.  I met with small business owners in Atlanta last week who started a business based on a particular need they had discovered.  Nearly by accident, the business has grown to the point that they are seeking assistance from the SBA to manage the small business growth.  It is with mixed feelings that I come across businesses that are afraid to grow too fast.  It is an important thing to manage, but also a pleasant surprise.  With these thoughts in mind, I encourage each of you to support our small business community and shop small this Saturday.    Click Here to Learn More About Small Business Saturday...... Find Out Updates & Upcoming Events for Small Business in your Area: SBA Alabama District Tom Todt, District Director On November 14, 2013, the Alabama District Office gave two presentations on the Affordable Care Act. David Ramp, Public Information Officer, spoke to the monthly meeting of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council. The council, comprised of small business owners, local educators and chamber officials heard about the ACA timeline and important elements of the ACA as they relate to small business. Brent McMahan, Senior Area Manager, spoke to the Dothan Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on the Affordable Care Act and the provisions related to small businesses. Also speaking were representatives of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama, a major health insurance provider in the state. SBA North Florida District Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director Nine Jacksonville based businesses have graduated from the North Florida 2014 Emerging Leaders Program. The graduation ceremony was held on November 6, 2013 at the JAX Chamber. The program started in 2010, and is offered in select cities nationwide. Congratulations to the following small business owners and executives:  Renee Sharp, Vice President, F&R Professional Cleaning, Inc. Kelly Huber, Chiropractor, Chiropractic Plus Pam Gibson, President, Idea Staffing Printella Bankhead, President, EBS Security, Inc. Sara Slettebo, President, ReMilNet Steven J. Davis, President and CEO, Construction and Engineering Services Consultants, Inc. Douglas Dixon, President, Legit Partners/Deeway Towing Judi Tripp, President, RJ Tripp Inc. dba JL Tripp Builders Loribeth Dunman, President, Dunmar Group, Inc. SBA South Florida District Francisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director The South Florida District Office is closing in on a November "trifecta".  Deputy District Director Jonel Hein signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with the Melbourne Regional Chamber on Nov. 6.  Less than a week later, Mary Hernandez, Regional Manager for the SBA's Export Solutions Group joined Ed Ramos from the North Florida district in signing a statewide SAM with Enterprise Florida.  The district will sign a SAM with Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens,  on Nov. 19.  This alliance will be the latest in a series of similar agreements between SBA and historically black colleges and universities located throughout the region.   SBA Georgia District Terri Denison, District Director   The Georgia District Office is pleased to announce that SCORE Atlanta has named Dr. Robert Yancy as Chapter Chairperson.  Dr. Yancy was founding Dean and Professor of the School of Business Administration at South Polytechnic State University.  He served for 10 years as President and CEO of ZEBRA Corporation and was a partner in Park Space, an airport shuttle parking facility in Atlanta. Dr. Yancy has the distinction of being the first African American to serve as SCORE Atlanta Chapter Chair.   He is working to further enhance SCORE's contributions to small business development in the Atlanta region and build a stronger, more diverse chapter.  SCORE Atlanta is among the largest and most active chapters in the country.                                                                   SBA Kentucky District Ralph Ross, District Director The Kentucky SBA Lenders Conference Committee, Inc. held the 2013 Kentucky SBA Lenders Conference at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on November 22.  SBA lenders and Resource Partners from across the state ended the event to acknowledge the 647 SBA loans for almost $155 million in FY2013, recognize top SBA lenders and participate in professional development sessions throughout the day.  Top performers, by category and by # of loans and dollar amount), include the following: Top Regional Lenders 2013   U.S. Bank, N. A.                                             81                    $ 17,005,700 The Huntington National Bank                      45                    $   4,955,600 JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.                         30                    $   5,123,800   Top Community Lenders 2013   Community Trust Bank, Inc.                          77                    $  10,263,700 Traditional Bank, Inc.                                    18                    $  10,625,100  Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co.                      17                    $    7,230,000 Top Certified Development Lenders 2013   Capital Access Corporation                           18                    $  10,628,000 Hamilton County Development Co.                7                    $    3,465,000 Community Ventures Corporation                  7                    $    3,021,000   Top Micro Lenders 2013 Community Ventures Corporation                92                    $        434,810 Mountain Assoc. for Comm. Econ. Devel.    31                    $        410,965         Kentucky Highlands Investment Corp.          27                    $        766,850 SBA Mississippi District Janita Stewart, District Director Virtual ACA 101 Webinar for Small Businesses Thursday, December 5th 9:00 am to 10:30 am (CST) Open and FREE to the small business public.  SBA and Stakeholders will present information to small business attendees during the virtual meeting.  To access the session, go to https://www.connectmeeting.att.com, enter 888-858-2144, then code 8756109.     ACA Resource Fair Wednesday, December 11th 9:00 am to 11:30 a.m. (CST) The Mississippi e-Center @ JSU Convention Hall 1230 Raymond Road Jackson, MS Open and FREE to the small business public.  Call (601) 979-1246 for directions or download a map at http://www.msecenter.com/documents/map.pdf.  For registration and other information, visit the Mississippi SBA website at www.sba.gov/ms.  Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Networking Event December 17, 2013 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm The Sacred Heart Southern Missions 295 E. Francisco Avenue Holly Springs, MS  38635  The SBA, AARP and Scared Heart Southern Missions will host a special event to help individuals 50+ year of age interested in starting or growing a small business.  During the event, SBA staff and SBDC members will work with AARP and other partner organizations on educational efforts, mentoring, and trainings to make sure new and existing encore entrepreneurs have the tools they need to start or grow their business.  Entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with local mentors.  The event is held in collaboration with Sacred Heart Southern Missions 'Economic Alternatives Program'.  For date, registration and more details, contact Eleanor Clayborn, Economic Alternative Coordinator, at (662) 252-1336 or via email at eleanorclayborn@shsm.org. SBA North Carolina District Lynn Douthett, District Director As we do every year in North Carolina, we have a special event to recognize the top SBA Lenders in the state. The North Carolina Bankers Association is hosting the 2013 North Carolina SBA Lenders Award Luncheon in Charlotte at the Hilton University Place on Tuesday December 3, 2013. The top SBA Lenders in North Carolina will be honored. Awards for Lender of the Year, Certified Development Company of the Year, Community Lender of the Year and others will be presented. Over 30 lenders will be represented. The day will include a training session for lenders on the new SOP changes and details of the fee eliminations effective for 2014. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook Subscribe to SBA Newsletters South Carolina District Elliott Cooper, District Director On Tuesday, November 19, Frank Anderson and Floyd Bryant—our office's veteran business development officers—capped off a month of veteran entrepreneurship events by attending the veteran job fair at Fort Jackson. Since November 1, Frank and Floyd have participated in a veterans job fair at Shaw Air Force Base, counseled new and aspiring veteran entrepreneurs at a Columbia "encore entrepreneur" event with AARP, and presented a two-day Boots to Business workshop at Fort Jackson.  Frank-a Lender Relations Specialist, is an Army veteran, and Floyd, a Business Opportunity Specialist, is an Air Force veteran. Our office is extremely grateful for their service to our country and their continued service to their fellow veterans!  Deputy District Director Gregg White was a featured speaker at Clemson University's annual Clemson Technology Village meeting on Thursday, November 21.  According to its website, the Village is "a hybrid internet-consultant program designed to support new technology company formation and development in non-metropolitan areas.  The hybrid internet/store-front incubator program blends the attributes of real-time distance entrepreneurial learning with hands on consulting support."  The SBA South Carolina District Office is excited to have been among the participants in this cutting-edge effort. SBA Tennessee District Walter Perry, District Director  The Tennessee District has had a busy month serving the small business community. On October 22nd, DD Walter Perry and David Tiller appeared on WFSK Radio at Fisk University in Nashville for an update on ACA, followed by DD Perry's ACA presentation with members of the Cocke County Partnership in Newport on October 24th.   The sixth annual graduation of Emerging Leaders in Memphis was October 30th. In the six consecutive years of the program, eighty-nine entrepreneurs from west Tennessee have received a "mini-MBA" and have contributed greatly to the economic development of the area.  On November 8th, Kena Dixon, David Tiller and DD Walter Perry hosted "Federal Government Contracting for Veterans" in Nashville, including presentations by the Department of  Veterans Affairs and Tennessee National Guard. More than 500 attended the annual Energy, Technology and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA) event in Knoxville on November 12th & 13th with Gloria Armstead and DD Perry presenting SBA updates and Government Contracting workshops. On November 15th, the Tennessee District hosted the ACA Navigators from the Tennessee Primary Care Association (TPCA) in a joint training session regarding the current 2013 and the January-March 2014 opportunities for small business employers contemplating the SHOP section of the ACA. Region IV International Trade Officer, Sandro Murtas appeared with DD Perry and DITO David Tiller on "The Money Show" on WFSK Radio in Nashville on November 19th to talk about SBA's International Trade Loan programs and local SBA Success Stories. SBA Region IV Office Directory Connect with us for news and resources UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS Access events across the nation by clicking below: Recent SBA Lending Activity Found Here Region IV Office 233 Peachtree Street NE Harris Tower; Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 Email: region_4@sba.gov http://www.sba.gov Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator Mark Berson, Regional Advocate Phone: 404-331-3081     Email: mark.berson@sba.gov Matthew Mitchell, Regional Office Manager Phone: 404-331-4943     Email: matthew.mitchell@sba.gov Lola Kress, Regional Communications Director Phone: 404-331-2798     Email: lola.kress@sba.gov     SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Your Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help STAY CONNECTED: All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis | Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance  This email was sent to sjr3gb659yw41fx.jjjzz@blogger.com by Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722