 | | Cassius Butts Regional Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration |
 Last week we celebrated National Small Business Week. As you read below, you will find that small businesses are still being celebrated across the Southeast; actually, we are always celebrating small business across the Southeast! Please take the time to contact your local SBA district office to find out how you can become involved in Small Business Week in your area. You can learn the process now of how to nominate a small business for one of the many award categories for your local and national Small Business Week and you can even self nominate. SBA can help you every step of the way. Please help us celebrate you and everything you do for the economy of this great nation. We are here to celebrate you. What's happening For Small Business in YOUR Area? | | Alabama District Office Tom Todt, SBA District Director David Ramp, Public Information Officer and Lender Relations Specialist, conducted a loan clinic at Alabama State University May 15. The clinic, sponsored by the ASU Small Business Development Center as a part of their Small Business Week activities, provided SBA loan information and general finance tips to entrepreneur attendees. On Friday, May 1, the University of West Alabama Small Business Development Center and the Black Belt Action Commission Small Business Committee presented a Youth Entrepreneurial Success (Y.E.S.) Summit at the Livingston Civic Center. Over 80 high school students from the Black Belt Region heard speakers present on a variety of topics including intellectual property, branding and the use of social media for business, business etiquette and young entrepreneurs who described their business experience. Two young entrepreneurs raised goats for their milk and used the goat's milk in a line of soap products for sale to the public. They shared their experiences in starting their businesses and displayed a variety of their products. Also in attendance was David Ramp, PIO and Lender Relations Specialist as well as a member of the BBC Small Business Committee. |
 | | North Florida District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director Tameka Montgomery, Associate Administrator for Economic Development for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), participated in Jacksonville's inaugural River City Mentor Walk, sponsored by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of North Florida (UNF). The River City Mentor Walk was comprised of seasoned entrepreneurs who acted as mentors to early-stage business owners as they walked a 5K course through the UNF campus. During the trek, business owners participated in open dialogues about lessons learned, business challenges and ideas for success with their mentors. Ms. Montgomery was appointed to the position of Associate Administrator of the Office of Entrepreneurial Development at the SBA in 2013. She manages the agency's counseling and training programs which serve more than 1.5 million entrepreneurs and small businesses nationwide. Ms. Montgomery previously served as Executive Director for the Denver area SBDC, where she initiated the concept of a mentor walk. Ms. Montgomery was introduced to the crowd and also accompanied on the walk by SBA North Florida District Director Wilfredo J. Gonzalez. |
Pictured Left to Right: Janice Donaldson, SBDC Regional Director, Tameka Montgomery, SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development, and Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, SBA North Florida District Director | |  |
 | | SBA Regional Administrator Cassius Butts and staff from both North and South District Offices will be participating in the upcoming Florida 8(a) Alliance Annual Conference May 27-28th in Orlando, Florida at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel. All Businesses are welcome to attend (8(a) , 8(M), HUBZone, Veteran Owned, WOSB, SDVOSB, Large Business). For more information, please visit www.florida8a.org. |
 | | South Florida District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director The SBA South Florida District completed two successful Encore Entrepreneur events in Miami and Fort Lauderdale on Apr. 30 as part of Mentor Month. We are working with our SCORE and AARP partners to better track the future success of those who attended. On May 2, Area Manager Althea Harris represented the district office at a successful YELP "Success with Online Reviews" presentation with our SAM partner, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. This event was the last in a series of events organized by SBA headquarters. Althea discussed SBA resources and introduced the YELP team. More than 60 military service members took advantage of SBA's Boots to Business, two-day workshops held at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa; Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach; and Naval Air Station Key West. The district staff was augmented by our SCORE resource partners who provided the all-important, hands-on small business perspectives to the course work. Lastly, the district welcomed SBA Regional Administrator Cassius Butts who spoke at the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon on May 15 as part of the district's National Small Business Week events. |
The SBA South Florida District Office entered into a new strategic alliance with Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/Economic Development Commission (IDA/EDC) on May 7. Deputy District Director Jonel Hein and Highlands County IDA/EDC Executive Director Stephen Weeks signed the alliance that will be in effect for two years. | |  |
 | | Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director The SBA Georgia District Office recognized and announced the award winners for Georgia Small Business Week in ten different categories commemorating Small Business Week as proclaimed by SBA District Director Terri Denison and Georgia Governor Deal. The Georgia Lender Quality Circle hosted this year's annual luncheon to honor the small businesses that represent excellence for the great state of Georgia. Congratulations to the 2014 Georgia Small Business Week winners: Small Business Person(s) of the Year Mr. Jusak Bernhard & Mr. Jeffrey Manley TailsSpin Savannah, Georgia Small Business Person(s) of the Year (1st Runner Up) Stephen Wayne Pararo, Owner and principle designer Pineapple House Interior Design, Inc. Atlanta, GA Small Business Person(s) of the Year (2nd Runner Up) Mr. John Anker , President Ankerpak, LLC Columbus, GA Exporter of the Year Savannah Global Solutions Mark Allan Sauer Savannah, GA Family-Owned Business of the Year Mr. Ward Sweat & Ms. Katy Crane Charley & Sons, Inc. Lake City, GA Financial Services Champion of the Year Ms. Grace Fricks Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Cleveland, GA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Mr. Ken Huff, Manager of Supplier Diversity and Development Georgia Power Atlanta, GA Small Business Media Advocate of the Year Mr. Jim Beach Atlanta GA Women in Business Champion of the Year Ms. Terri ElHaddaoui, SBA Women's Business Center Director The Edge Connection Coles College of Business Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of the Year for Georgia and Southeast Region Kennesaw State University – SBDC Kennesaw, GA |
  | | Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director
Kentucky Celebrates Small Business Month The SBA Kentucky District Office is involved in several celebrations for Small Business Month across Kentucky, including an all-day Small Business Forum in Munfordville on May 8, a Small Business Awards Ceremony and Breakfast in Ashland on May 15, a Salute to Small Business celebration on May 21 in Greensburg, and a presentation of SBA Kentucky Small Business Awards at the "Kentucky Celebrates Small Businesses" event in Lexington on June 11 in conjunction with the Kentucky SBDC network. Mr. Tommy Ray Cornett, President and Founder of Bleed Blue Tattooing and Piercing, Inc. in Lexington, is the SBA Kentucky District Office SBA 2014 Small Business Person of the Year. SBA's Kentucky District Office also honors Small Business Advocates each year, including Mr. Jeffrey Elswick, VP and Chief Commercial Lender at Kentucky Farmers Bank in Ashland, as the 2014 Kentucky Financial Services Advocate of the Year; Mr. Mark Hill, VP of Operations for Messer Construction in Lexington, as the 2014 Kentucky Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year; Ms. Marisa Neal, President of MMN Consulting, LLC in Louisville, as the 2014 Kentucky Women Business Advocate of the Year; and Dr. Sharon Kerrick, Founder of the VetStart Program at the University of Louisville, as the 2014 Kentucky Veteran's Small Business Advocate of the Year. |
 | | Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director B2B The SBA Gulfport Branch Office and Gulf Coast SBDC partnered to participate in a Boots to Business event on March 19th. The session, entitled "Introduction to Entrepreneurship", is one of three training modules transitioning service members interested in exploring self-employment opportunities must complete. During the session, SBA personnel shared information on SBA's financial products available to start a business while the SBDC explained business plan development and federal, state and local regulations. Go online at http://boots2business.org for more information on the Boot to Business program. SBA Encore Entrepreneur Workshops The Mississippi SBA participated in Encore Entrepreneur Mentor events held in Biloxi, MS on April 23rd and Jackson, MS on April 24th. Joining SBA were Mississippi AARP Director Sherri Davis-Garner, Mississippi AARP Nonprofit Consultant Laurie Johnson, SBDC, SCORE, Women's Business Center and other business development agencies to share their resource. Topics included: Business plan development, access to capital, federal contracting opportunities, marketing resources and best practices were shared with the combined total of 70 present. For more information on Encore Mentor Month, visit http://www.sba.gov/encore. Mississippi Delta Micro Business Lending Forum The Mississippi District (MDO) is an active participant in the FDIC – Association for Economic Inclusion (AEI). The FDIC-AEI's mission is to improve the economic well-being of low-to-moderate income individuals and families, including the unbanked and underserved, by improving access to the Mississippi banking systems and to work with financial institutions and other partners on ways to bring them into the financial mainstream, which also incorporates small business development. On May 13th, the MDO participated in the "Mississippi Delta Micro Business Lending Forum" held in Robinsonville and provided information to the attendees about SBA and its lending, certifications and contracting programs of assistance. Other organizations participating included FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, USDA Forest Service, Mississippi Development Authority, Microlender Accion, several banks and non-bank lending institutions and others. Bi-annual SBA Mississippi Statewide Lenders Conference The "Bi-annual SBA Mississippi Statewide Lenders Conference" is set for May 22-23 in Biloxi. In and out-of-state bank and non-bank lenders and Certified Development Companies as well as related resources will be in attendance at this training conference. Regional Administrator Cassius Butts is participating as well as SBA Headquarters affiliated officials who will provide information and training on the new SOP 50 10 5(F); standard 7(a) loan processing; franchise lending; loan servicing; the secondary market; and Colson Services will present on 1502 reporting. The conference is designed for lenders familiar with SBA as well as for lenders new to SBA. With the recent Presidential disaster declaration issued in Mississippi affecting various parts of the state, an update will be provided on disaster assistance. Top lenders and top CDCs will also be recognized for their FY 2013 loan production. |
 | | North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director
SBA North Carolina District Director and Bankers Climb to New Heights On May 1, 2014 SBA North Carolina District Director Ms. Lynn L. Douthett and SBA lenders climbed a 25 foot wall to honor the 2014 NC Small Business Persons of the Year. Andrew Kratz and Joel Graybeal are managing partners of Triangle Rock Club (TRC). TRC is an indoor rock climbing gym with two locations in the Raleigh area. Also attending the event were representatives from SunTrust Bank, VantageSouth Bank and SBA Certified Development Companies BEFCOR and Self-Help. "SBA and our lending partners help small businesses reach new heights!!" said SBA District Director Lynn Douthett. "Access to capital is crucial to job creators and community builders like TRC." The SBA has assisted TRC in their climb to success with funding through the SBA 504 and 7(a) loan programs. With the help of three rounds of SBA funding totaling over $5 million they continue to expand. TRC has two locations, one in Morrisville and one in North Raleigh. They are currently expanding the Morrisville facility. Once complete, it will be the largest and tallest climbing gym in five states. During Small Business Week, on Friday, May 16, 2014 Kratz and Graybeal will be competing for the title of National Small Business Persons of the Year during the celebration in Washington, D.C. |
left to right: Joel Graybeal and Andrew Kratz, owners of Triangle Rock Club, Keith Pillow of SunTrust Bank, Justin Tart of Self-Help, Leigh Brierly of SunTrust, Louis Rogers of BEFCOR, Lynn Douthett, SBA NC District Director, Heidi Whitesell of VantageSouth Bank and Ann Nonemaker, SunTrust. | |  |
 | | South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director
May has been a big month for the South Carolina District Office! On Wednesday, May 7, the SBA South Carolina District Office presented its annual Small Business Week event--the Salute to Small Business--with co-sponsors the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Coalition for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The two-part event was the biggest yet in its eleven-year run. Throughout the morning, around 200 small business attendees networked, visited exhibits and, most importantly, participated in a procurement matchmaker, where they got one-on-one time with over 30 big-name companies and agencies, including Boeing, BMW and Department of Energy. In the afternoon, nearly 200 small businesses and small business supporters attended the small business awards luncheon honoring the winners of the SBA's small business awards. Making the day even more special, the luncheon featured special guest speakers Governor Nikki Haley and SBA Regional Administrator Cassius Butts. The following day, on Thursday, May 8, Deputy District Director Gregg White was a featured presenter at the Farm Bill and Program Implementation National Training in Charlotte, N.C., where he taught a class on collaborating with the SBA. |
Left to right: Cassius Butts, SBA Regional Administrator, Nancy Ogburn, owner of Tomato Palms , and Governor Nikki Haley. | |  |
 | | Tennessee District Office Walter Perry, District Director The Tennessee District Office was fully engaged in National Small Business Week, with several outreach activities being held in the Volunteer State. District Director Walter Perry recognized prior Emerging Leaders graduates in Memphis on May 12 in an event partnered with the Economic Development and Growth Engine (EDGE) of Memphis and Shelby County and also presented at the Mid-South Economic Development Summit in Union City. On May 13th Business Opportunity Specialist, Kena Dixon, presented a workshop on Government Contracting at the SBA office and also on the same day, David Tiller exhibited SBA's services available to veterans at Congressman Jim Cooper's 4th Annual Veterans Outreach event at the Tennessee National Guard Armory in Nashville with over 300 attending. Gloria Armstead conducted a Government Contracting event in Chattanooga, and Jacqueline Merritt conducted several events in Elizabethton and Newport. In Lender Relations, Maria Lloyd exhibited SBA loan programs at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Credit Union League in Chattanooga on May 15. And on May 16th, the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted an event where a Small Business Week Proclamation was presented by a representative of the Office of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. Upcoming activities include an "Export Boot Camp" that will be conducted on May 21st in Memphis and May 29th in Gallatin, presented collaboratively by the Tennessee SBDC at Southwest Tennessee Community College highlighting SBA loans and programs for exporters. The 5th Annual Tennessee Procurement Summit will be held in Nashville June 18th at the Tennessee State University SBDC with over a dozen federal agencies presenting their procurement forecasts. Over 120 persons pre-registered for the free program. Registration for the Export Boot Camp and the Procurement Summit is available through www.tsbdc.org. |
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