 | | Congratulations to SBA Mississippi District Office's Bridget Johnson Fells! Mississippi Gulfport Branch Manager Lance Foster, presented Bridget Johnson Fells, Economic Development Specialist, a Certificate of Government Service and pin for 25 years of federal government service. Congratulations Bridget! |
What's Happening for Small Business In Your Area?
State By State
 | | Alabama DistrictTom Todt, Alabama District Director On December 3rd, the Alabama District Office held its monthly "Introduction to Government Contracting" seminar in the training room at the District Office. Business Opportunity Specialist, Anise Arrington gave a presentation on the 'ins and outs' of doing business with the Federal government and provided detailed information on SBA's 8(a) program and the requirements for participation. Attendees were also provided with information on other SBA programs and services including loan programs. The seminar is held on the first Tuesday of each month at the District Office at 801 Tom Martin Drive, Suite 201 in Birmingham, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Pre-registration is not required. |
 | | North Florida DistrictWilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director |
The North Florida District Office participated in the ChallengeHER event in Orlando, Florida on December 10, 2015. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Women In Public Policy (WIPP), The Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida, and American Express OPEN (OPEN) came together to bring women business owners' pertinent information and resources regarding the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program.
 | | Pictured Left to Right: Leslie Faircloth, Deputy for Small Business Programs, NAVAIR Orlando; Kenneth Hamilton, SBA Supervisory Business Opportunity Specialist; Ed Ramos, SBA Orlando Senior Area Manager; Thomas Van Horn, SBA Procurement Center Representative, Office of Government Contracting; and Nelson Escribano, Small Business Specialist, MacDill Air Force Base. |
On Dec. 8, Donna Padgug conducted a seminar on "Healthcare Coverage Options for Small Business Owners and the Self Employed."
Gil Colon, SBA Deputy District Director greeted those attending, followed by Donna Padgug who invited participants to introduce themselves and say a little about their businesses. Guest speakers were Angela DeMonbreun, Communications and Marketing Manager, Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida. Ms. DeMonbreun discussed opportunities available to small business owners through SHOP – the Small Business Health Options Program. Sumayya Harris, North Florida Deputy Regional Director from Enroll America discussed individual enrollment of self-employed individuals and employees of small businesses.
 | | Pictured Left to Right: Angela DeMonbreun, Communications and Marketing Manager, Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida; Sumayya Harris, Enroll America North Florida Deputy Regional Director; and Donna Padgug, SBA Economic Development Specialist |
 | | South Florida DistrictFrancisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director 2015 was a very successful year for SBA and small businesses in South Florida: SBA loan guarantees to small businesses located in South Florida topped $1B for the first time!! SBA loan guarantees were up in almost all major categories including women, minorities, veterans, rural and international trade. South Florida hosted two successful SBA's Emerging Leaders Program classes. The Miami class had 16 small business graduates and in Tampa 17 small business owners successfully graduated from the rigorous multi-month business development program. Due to the success of the Emerging Leaders Program, South Florida has been approved to host the program again in 2016! For the 1st inaugural InnovateHer Challenges in 2015, the national runner-up hailed from Cocoa Beach, FL. Lisa Crites owner of The SHOWER SHIRT™ designed a post-surgical, patented, water-resistant garment designed to prevent post-surgical mastectomy drain sites from coming into contact with water while showering. With the creation of The SHOWER SHIRT, women now have the option to shower safely, while also reducing their risk of post-surgical infections. Read more about Lisa's successes HERE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-f-crites/voices-of-strength-lisa-crites_b_7865364.html. South Florida recently played host to several 2016 InnovateHer Challenges which culminate with final pitches in Washington, DC in March, during Women's History Month. The roll out of the 2015 National Small Business Week Awards Celebration took place in South Florida at the headquarters of Office Depot-- a small business success story! The South Florida District Office is still seeking nominations for outstanding small business owners and their champions for the 2016 celebration.
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 | | Georgia DistrictTerri Denison, District Director On December 7, a new SCORE chapter in the state was officially chartered. SCORE Middle Georgia, with counseling locations in Macon and Warner Robins, has a general service area of 13 counties. For about ten years, SCORE has been present in Macon as a branch of the SCORE Atlanta Chapter. Earlier this year, a SCORE branch was re-established in Warner Robins. These two branches became the foundation of the new chapter. Dr. Ulrica Jones is the Chapter Chairperson. SCORE, volunteer resource partner of the SBA, provides free one-on-one counseling and low cost training for new and existing business owners. For more information on how to access the services and resources of SCORE Middle Georgia or to become a SCORE volunteer, go to www.middlegeorgia.score.org. |
 | | Kentucky DistrictRalph Ross, District Director Kentucky SBA Lenders Conference The Kentucky SBA Lenders Conference Committee, Inc. held the 2015 Kentucky SBA Lenders Conference on November 20. SBA lenders and Resource Partners from across the state attended the event to celebrate the 759 SBA loans for almost $206 million in FY15, which was up over 30% in loan dollars compared to the previous year. The event also recognized top performing SBA lenders and offered professional development sessions for attendees throughout the day. |
Top performers, by category, include the following:
Top Regional Lenders 2015
Lender: # of Loans Dollar Amount
U.S. Bank, N. A. 125 $ 26,738,500
The Huntington National Bank 80 $ 13,279,000
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. 28 $ 7,963,600
Top Community Lenders 2015
Community Trust Bank, Inc. 69 $ 8,981,600
MainSource Bank 27 $ 15,348,000
Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. 14 $ 5,590,200
Top Certified Development Lenders 2015
Community Ventures 13 $ 6,049,000
Purchase Area Development District 8 $ 3,955,000
Horizon Certified Development Company 5 $ 7,070,000
Top Micro Lenders 2015
Community Ventures 67 $ 420,820
Kentucky Highlands Investment
Corp. 31 $ 609,922
Mountain Assoc. for Comm. Econ. Devel. 25 $ 342,523
 | | Mississippi DistrictJanita Stewart, District DirectorSBA Mississippi Seeks Nominations for 2016 Small Business Person of the Year & Champion Awards The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominations for the 2016 Mississippi Small Business Person of the Year and Small Business Champion Awards. SBA Awards given in celebration of Small Business Week include the following categories: Small Business Person of the Year Small Business Exporter Young Entrepreneur Generational Family-Owned Small Business Minority Small Business Champion Women in Business Champion Veteran Small Business Champion Home-Based Business Champion Financial Services Champion Entrepreneurial Success Award Small Business Journalist Phoenix Awards (recognizing outstanding accomplishments during disaster recovery) Nomination packages for the Small Business Person of the Year can be submitted online, mailed or hand delivered. All other categories the nomination packages can be mailed or hand delivered. Packages mailed or hand delivered must be received by the SBA Mississippi-Gulfport Branch Office no later than 4:00pm, Monday, January 11, 2016. Small Business Person of the Year Nomination packages submitted through the online web portal must be uploaded and submitted no later than 3:00pm ET, Monday, January 11, 2016 at http://awards.sba.gov. Descriptions of the award categories and instructions on how to nominate a person can be found online at: http://awards.sba.gov. Businesses and business persons can self-nominate themselves. For nomination guidelines and additional information regarding the awards, visit the SBA Mississippi web site at www.sba.gov/ms or contact the SBA Mississippi District Office at (601) 965-4378 or Gulfport Branch Office at (228) 863-4449. |
 | | North Carolina DistrictLynn Douthett, District Director
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SBA Announces Strategic Partnership with Western (North Carolina) Women's Business Center
On December 3, 2015, the SBA North Carolina District signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with the Western Women's Business Center (WWBC), operated by The Support Center (TSC) in Asheville NC.
The purpose of this agreement is to develop and foster mutual understanding and a working relationship between the SBA and the WWBC in order to strengthen and expand small business development for women in western North Carolina.
"North Carolina is home to over 230,000 women-owned businesses. SBA is committed to helping women start and develop viable business," said North Carolina District Director Lynn Douthett. "This partnership will further support women exploring entrepreneurship in the western part of the state."
The mission of the WWBC is to provide capital, high quality technical assistance and programs that reduce barriers and serve as a catalyst to the success of entrepreneurs, particularly women, in Western North Carolina."This partnership with SBA will not only add value to our mission, but it will reinforce our commitment to meet the capital and business service needs of women entrepreneurs in western NC," said Lenwood V. Long, Sr., President/CEO of TSC. "This partnership agreement signals strong collaboration in support of building and sustaining business opportunities for women entrepreneurs in this part of the state."
The agreement will remain in effect for two years.
Back row: Duane Adams, Coordinator of Small Business Center Programs at Asheville-Buncombe Tech Community College; Jill Sparks, SBC Director at Asheville-Buncombe Tech Community College; Leanne Briggs, VP at Asheville Savings Bank; Ramona Young, Admin. Assistant, The Support Center; Sharon Oxendine, Director, Western Women's Business Center; Stephanie Twitty, CEO of Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation; Zuri Anuel, Business Development Officer, The Support Center; and Tommy Dennison, Business Development Officer, The Support Center.
Seated: Lynn Douthett, SBA North Carolina District Director; Lenwood V. Long Sr., President/CEO of The Support Center; and Esther Manheimer, Mayor of Asheville, NC.
 | | NEW 2016 GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING WEBINAR SERIES - 4th Tuesday of Every Month! Brought to you by Mia Fagley, SBA Lead Business Opportunity Specialist
Did you know the U.S. Government buys over $500 Billion of goods and services every year?Would you like to find out how your business can access the federal marketplace? Want to learn about tools to help you grow your business? The SBA North Carolina District Office presents a brand new webinar to help you learn about government contracting. Among the topics covered: Marketing to the Government Procurement Process and Contracts Application Process for 8(a) Certification The benefits of the 8(a) Program such as Joint Ventures and Mentor/Prot̩g̩ Access to Credit and Bonding The series starts Tuesday, January 26th! 10:00 a.m. Р11:00 a.m. 4th Tuesday of the month Click here for webinar content and dial-in instructions. |
 | | South Carolina DistrictElliott Cooper, District Director 2016 is a year of transition for the SBA South Carolina District Office as we prepare to bid farewell to 20 percent of our staff—which, in our case, is two employees. First, Business Opportunity Specialist Floyd Bryant is retiring from our office in late January. Chief Master Sergeant Floyd Bryant, USAF, Retired, joined our office in 2008. He has been tireless in his assistance not only to 8(a) firms and fellow veterans, but to anyone and everyone who ever walked through our doors or called our office phone line. Not only will he be missed by all of us at the South Carolina District Office, but also by the countless entrepreneurs he has helped. Second, Economic Development Specialist Anna Huntley is leaving our office to take a new federal position in Washington, D.C. Anna joined our office in 2005 as a student intern, transitioning to a full-time employee upon graduation. As she puts it, she grew up in the South Carolina District Office. Anna will be taking the outreach and education skills she learned during her 10 years with SBA to the Securities and Exchange Commission, where she hopes to help develop new public engagement strategies. Floyd and Anna, thank you for your years of service. You will be missed! |
 | | Tennessee DistrictWalter Perry, District Director SBA loans continue to be available in the Volunteer State, with $44 million on the books statewide since the start of Fiscal Year 2016 on October 1. The District welcomes a new Preferred Lenders Program lender to the District portfolio, Paragon Bank of Memphis, who worked with Lender Relations Specialist Lisa Denson to obtain this designation. Business Opportunity Specialist Gloria Armstead highlighted federal contracting at the Energy, Technology and Environmental Business Association's conference in Knoxville on December 9 where District Director Walter Perry presented on the Women Owned Small Business Contracting Program to procurement officials and small business owners. Economic Development Specialist David Tiller presented an overview of the Affordable Care Act to Memphis small business owners on December 9 and also presented the Boots 2 Business curriculum on December 15-16 at the Naval Support Activity in Millington. Business Opportunity Specialist Kena Dixon partnered with the University of Tennessee's Procurement Technical Assistance Center to conduct a Federal Procurement Data System workshop on December 8 to enable small business owners to become knowledgeable of procurements made by federal agencies from Tennessee's small businesses. |
