It's Back To School and Back To Business Summer is coming to a close, vacations are winding down, kids are headed back to school, the temperatures are turning slightly cooler: what better time to refocus your energies on your small business. Even if you have been in business for many years and feel there is no more room for growth, you are wrong. There are opportunities around every corner to start, grow and fine tune your small business. If you are short on time, you can simply see what is happening for small business owners on Facebook (SBA) or Twitter (@SBASoutheast) or simply visit our websites or call our offices. The SBA staff is available to help you along with our great resource partners such as SCORE, the Small Business Development Centers and the Women's Business Centers. If you have specific questions regarding your small business, we have a blog post area (www.sba.com/community) that you can post your questions and you can pull articles to read on any category that may be helpful for you and your small business. Make this Fall the best season for your small business and let us know how we can assist you. Contact Your Local SBA Lender Today to Find Out What Lending Resources Are Available For You! | | Click the icon to locate your nearest SBA Lender! Or You can Always contact your local SBA district office by visiting HERE. |
What's Happening For Small Business in Your State? | | Alabama District Office Thomas Todt, District Director The Alabama District Office recently signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College, one of Alabama's 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The alliance with Drake State makes the 4th such agreement signed by the Alabama District with HBCUs. |
Mr. Thomas A. Todt, SBA Alabama District Director, and Dr. Helen T. McAlpine, President of J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College, celebrate the signing of the SAM with Drake State. | |  |
 | | Florida- North District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director The North Florida District Office hosted a small business workshop for entrepreneurs in Spanish in late July. The workshop covered topics such as financing options, employee hiring and management, and the importance of financial statements. Fabiana Estrada, Manager of Lending for Accion USA presented information on the microloan program requirements. Annie Grogan, President of the H.I.L.L. of Northeast Florida, presented information on how to hire and manage employees. The final portion of the workshop regarding the importance of financial statements was presented by Carmen Gonzalez, Business Development Specialist for the SBA. Look for similar events to happen in the future by visiting www.sba.gov/fl/north and visit the calendar of events. |
 | | Florida- South District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director The City of Miami and the SBA signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) on July 24, in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall. The district office has already been contacted by his staff for future small business events that the SBA and the City will partner together on. Elected representatives from around the district are reaching out to the SBA offices to help inform and raise constituent awareness of the government contracting process and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Senior Area Manager Vince Lopresti joined Congressman Bill Posey at a Federal contracting workshop in Melbourne, Fla. on Aug 5-6. Senior Area Manager Robert Chavarria will be speaking at an ACA event organized by Congresswoman Kathy Castor in Tampa on August 22. Finally, Deputy Director Jonel Hein will join Congressman Patrick Murphy at a Business Roundtable Discussion in Fort Pierce, Fla. on Aug. 27. Stay tuned for future events by visiting www.sba.gov/fl/south. |
 | | Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director The Georgia District Office will be participating in a small business summit hosted by U.S. Representative John Barrow on September 4 in Augusta. The event, which be held from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Kroc Center, will have two tracks—one for pre-venture and start-up businesses and one for existing businesses. Topics will include business planning, financing and federal government contracting. For more information, please contact the SBA Georgia District Office at 404-331-0100. |
 | | Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director On the first Wednesday of each month, Robert Coffey of the Kentucky District Office of the SBA will be available at the Louisville Business Clinic inside the NIA Center. Nia comes from Swahili, and means "purpose." For almost 15 years, The Nia Center, through its partnerships with Louisville Metro Government, SBA and its resource partners, including the SBDC, SCORE and the Women's Business Center, have empowered people to develop a more meaningful life for themselves and for their businesses. During these free sessions each month, Mr. Coffey meets one-on-one with business owners seeking more information about SBA loan programs, business certification, and other SBA programs, including contracting opportunities for small and minority businesses. To schedule time with Robert, call 502-582-5971, extension 266.
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Mr. Robert Coffey, SBA Kentucky District Office Business Development Specialist, 8(a) DITO, KSBDC Project Office | |  |
 | | Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director SBA and ASU Small Business Development, Access to Capital and Contracting Opportunities Conference Scheduled Saturday, August 24th: As part of a collaborative initiative working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Mississippi SBA District Office and Alcorn State University will host a 'Small Business Development, Access to Capital & Contracting Opportunities Conference' in Lorman, MS on August 24th. The conference will be informational in scope, focusing on the state of the local economic environment, access to capital, contracting, and other small business opportunities. Visit the Mississippi SBA website at www.sba.gov/ms for more information and to register. ALSO: SBA Mississippi District, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Partner on Small Business Outreach Event The SBA Mississippi District has teamed up with FDIC and OCC to host a Microenterprise Forum. The focus of the conference is to reach out to rural microbusinesses and share information on obtaining financing, contracting and technical assistance. The conference will take place on Tuesday, September 17th from 9:00am – 2:30pm at the Vicksburg Convention Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi. |
 | | North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director SBA Signs Strategic Alliance Memorandums with Three North Carolina HBCU's North Carolina is home to eleven Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU.) In a joint effort, the SBA and HBCUs are working together to promote entrepreneurship through higher education and community outreach. Recently, the North Carolina District signed three Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) to formalize their commitment to entrepreneurship development. In May 2013, Shaw University led the way by signing the first SAM in the District. Shaw University founded in 1865 is the oldest HBCU in the Southern United States. Shaw's President Dr. Yancy stated, "This SAM is a tremendous opportunity for Shaw students to learn more about entrepreneurship and to one day develop their own businesses that will contribute to the nation's economy. We thank the SBA for embracing education, innovation and the importance of supporting our young men and women in their business endeavors." Representing SBA was the Region IV Administrator, Cassius Butts. Also signing SAMs were in were Dr. Carter, President of Johnson C. Smith University in June and Dr. Suber, President of Saint Augustine University in August. "We are committed to working with the HBCU's to enable young entrepreneurs to obtain the tools they need to start and grow successful businesses." said Lynn Douthett, SBA District Director. |
SBA Regional Administrator Cassius Butts and University President, Dr. Dorothy Yancy, signing a SAM at Shaw University, one of the oldest HBCUs in the U.S. | |  |
 | | South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director The South Carolina District Office is pleased to announce the addition of William Furman as the new Senior Area Manager of the SBA's Charleston alternate worksite. Mr. Furman will be responsible for the delivery of SBA's programs and services throughout the lowcountry and coastal areas of South Carolina, including Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties. Mr. Furman joined the SBA on August 12. Previously, he served as an Area Specialist for USDA-Rural Development. The alternate worksite office is located at 5900 Core Avenue in North Charleston. Mr. Furman can be reached by phone at 843-225-7430. |
 | | Tennessee District Office Walter Perry, District Director In partnership with the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, SBA will present a Surety Bonding Workshop on August 27 in Chattanooga. The workshop will explain surety bonding and feature a panel discussion by bond agents on steps for small business owners to successfully obtain a bond. The Tennessee District will be exhibiting at the 2013 Mid-South Minority Business Continuum Economic Development Forum in Memphis, August 28-29. The topic "Winning Federal Procurement Strategies" will be presented to contractors seeking to learn about how to participate in the federal procurement marketplace. District Director Walter Perry, Veteran Business Development Officer, David Tiller and Business Opportunity Specialist Gloria Armstead presented at "Services for Those Who Have Served" Veterans Outreach Event held August 15. Hosted by Congressman Phil Roe, agency presenters included representatives from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City SCORE, Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Knoxville Field Office, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Information and assistance for veteran entrepreneurs on starting a business, access to housing, job opportunities, and veterans benefits were presented at the successful event, which drew over 100 attendees. The Tennessee District conducted its annual 8(a) conference in Nashville on August 1, with planning and presentations by Business Opportunity Specialist Kena Dixon. 8(a) attendees received briefings on the Service Contract Act, Mentor-Protege Agreements and the Affordable Care Act. On August 13, Director Walter Perry presented information on the Affordable Care Act at Dyersburg State Community College in Northwest Tennessee. The workshop was hosted by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Dyersburg State and the Delta Regional Authority. A similar workshop was held July 19 as presented by Deputy District Director Saundra Jackson in Martin, Tennessee in collaboration with the Delta Regional Authority and SBDC at the University of Tennessee Martin. |
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