A message from your Regional Administrator, Cassius F. Butts:
We have completed the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2016 (Oct. 1 2015 to September 30, 2016) and the Southeast Region is on target to set new record highs in lending. We are thrilled to see the Southeast Region continue to thrive, growing our economy and creating more jobs. Some highlights include:
Regionally, as of the 3rd Quarter (Oct. 1, 2015- June 30, 2016) $4.5 billion in SBA-backed lending has been approved to our entrepreneurs. We are on target to surpass our historic lending numbers from last year.
Women: So far in 2016, $561 million has been approved for woman-owned small businesses in Region IV. This is an 18% increase over this same time last year.
Minorities: As of June 30th, the SBA has backed $1.5 billion to minority-owned small businesses in Region IV. This is a 15% increase over this same time last year.
Veterans: Currently, $219 million in SBA-backed lending has been approved to Veterans in Region 4- a 22% increase over this same time last year.
Some Highlights for Region IV Include: | |  |
Alabama: Through June 30th, the SBA Alabama District Office has approved a total of 413 loans supporting $200,841,050. This is a 10% increase over this same time last year. Nearly 100 loans, totaling $3.6 million, were approved to underserved markets. These include loans that value less than $150,000.
Georgia: The SBA Georgia District Office has already surpassed the $1 billion dollar mark in lending. They have approved 11% more loans this year than this same time last year.
Kentucky: Kentucky has seen a 13% increase in lending over Quarter 3 in fiscal year 2015.
North Carolina: The SBA North Carolina District has witnessed a 48% increase in lending to minorities so far this fiscal year.
Tennessee: The SBA Tennessee District Office has approved 36% more microloans to entrepreneurs this fiscal year over the same time as last year.
Mississippi: The SBA Mississippi District Office has witnessed a 34% increase to Veterans so far in fiscal year 2016.
North Florida: The SBA North Florida District Office has seen a 225% increase in lending through credit unions over this same time last year.
South Florida: Over $75 million in International Export Loans have been approved in South Florida through the 3rd quarter. This represents an 8% increase over the 3rd quarter in fiscal year 2015.
South Carolina: In fiscal year 2016, we have seen a 24% increase in fee relief to borrowers has been seen so far in FY 2016. This represents the savings to borrowers from the zero fees on loans under $250,000.
Mark D. Gibson (left), National LGBT Communications Director, & David W. Perry (right), Georgia Deputy District Director, were recognized today for their leadership, guidance and direction being instrumental in the development and implantation of the SBA's Many Face One Dream LGBT Outreach Initiative.
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What's Happening In Your District For Small Business: |
 | | Alabama District Office Thomas Todt, District Director |
Stars fell on Alabama recently, as 150 district, regional and headquarters staff convened in Birmingham for the annual Office of Field Operations senior management conference. The conference theme, "Leadership Evolves in Trust," brought economic development and community leaders from Alabama the first day, and a variety of peer-to-peer panels and program office presentations for the remainder of the conference. The conference also included a tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and an outing to Regions Park to watch the Birmingham Barons play the Jacksonville Suns.
| L to R: Eugene Cornelius, Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, Regional Administrator Cassius Butts converse on Day One of the OFO management conference. | |  |
 | | L to R: Andrea Taylor, President and CEO, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute; SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet; Deputy Associate Administrator of Field Operations Eugene Cornelius; SBA Deputy Administrator Doug Kramer during a break in the action on Day One of the OFO Management Conference. |
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In the midst of a hugely busy itinerary, Administrator Contreras-Sweet made time to pay a customer service call on Grayson Hall, President and CEO of Regions Bank. | |  |
 | | North Florida District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director |
The North Florida District Office team recently met with the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) to discuss how the two organizations can work together to provide more outreach to small business owners and those that are looking to purchase their first business space. The group discussed unexpected costs, lowering energy consumption, and initiatives/rebates. The JEA also works with local groups through Jacksonville's Small and Emerging Business program for its procurement goals. SBA and JEA agreed to work together to extend procurement opportunities to 8(a) Business Development program participants in the local market area.
Pictured Below: SBA and JEA team members.
The SBA was awarded the Business Advocate award by the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC) on July 14. Wilfredo Gonzalez, District Director, was also nominated as a the Business Leader of the Year. The event was attended by nearly 200 people from the Jacksonville area. Donna Padgug, Economic Development Specialist, accepted the award on behalf of SBA.
The North Florida District Office and the Veterans Business Outreach Center of Florida hosted 12 Boots to Business and 3 Boots to Business Re-boot Trainings at several military installations since the beginning of the fiscal year. From July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, the center has conducted 2,732 counseling sessions (excluding close out and administrative), and has assisted 1.086 clients, of those ,17 clients were awarded 76 Government Contracts, total amount $21,223,175; assisted 19 clients in obtaining 26 investments totaling $2,763,000; 22 Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business Certifications (EDWOSB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOSB), Disable and Veteran Owned Small Businesses(VOSB) were completed; 09 unique clients saw increase in profits by $877,303.00. In addition 52 Veteran Owned Businesses were started; 211 jobs have been added; 267 jobs retained; 08 Service Connected Disabled Veteran Business Owners won 18 Government contracts for $24,824,125.16.
 | | South Florida District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero |
"Welcoming New Firms, Developing Future Entrepreneurs in the South Florida District"
SBA South Florida District Business Opportunity Specialist Rabon "Ray" Lewis discussed acceptance letters during an orientation session July 13 held in the District Office for firms recently accepted into South Florida's 8(a) Business Development Program . Topics discussed ranged from Business Plans and Participation Agreements to NAICS Codes, Business Development Management Information System (BDMIS) and Annual Reviews.
 | | On July 28, Economic Development Specialist(s) Tina Davis and Althea Harris (not pictured) met with Bryan Wilson (left) and Tyler Cameron (right) to discuss various SBA programs while highlighting resources available to assist in developing their Young Entrepreneurs Program which was designed to support millennials in the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, & Questioning community. Wilson is the director of community relations and grants for SunServe LGBTQ Organization and Cameron is the founder of Down to Earth Divo Clothing. |
 | | Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director |
Pink + Green + Entrepreneurship = Success
Staff members from the Georgia and Illinois District Offices hosted two business panel discussions at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s Boule 2016. Boule, the sorority's biennial national convention, was hosted in Atlanta from July 9-15 and attended by more than 23,000 members. Rosemarie Drake, lead lender relations specialist, Georgia District Office and Carole Harris, lead economic development specialist, Illinois District Office, moderated and participated in the seminars entitled; New dimensions of Launching a New Business for Beginning Entrepreneurs and New dimensions of Launching a New Business for Advanced Entrepreneurs. Topics discussed during the sessions included; access to capital, resources available for business owners and SBA resources for growing existing businesses. The highlight of the sessions was the testimonials from business owners about the help they received from the SBA during their entrepreneurial journey. Nearly 600 current and future business owners attended the panels.
 | | Rosemarie Drake, seated left, and Carole Harris, standing, deliver remarks at an entrepreneurial panel during Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s Boule 2016 national convention in Atlanta. |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s Boule 2016: Panel attendees line up, after the event, to get more information from the moderators. | |  |
 | | Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director |
The SBA Kentucky District Office is involved in a number of small business and minority contracting events this summer, including:
- The Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo on August 4, where Tameka Montgomery, Associate Administrator with SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development, will be speaking;
- The 4th Annual Women in Business Expo and Conference on September 6 – 7 in Louisville, hosted by the Women's Business Center of Kentucky and featuring Erin Andrew, SBA Assistant Administrator for Women's Business Ownership, as keynote speaker; and
- The 10th Annual Small Business Summit in Louisville, an event for small business, minority owned, woman owned, veteran owned, service disabled veteran owned, 8(a), HUBZone and disadvantaged businesses seeking contracting opportunities with over 30 corporate and municipal representatives.
The Kentucky District Office is also participating in a series of workshops in the southeastern Kentucky Promise Zone in conjunction with the Kentucky SBDC, as well as other federal and state agencies, for businesses seeking contracting opportunities.
For more information, go to www.sba.gov/ky and look under Small Business Events.
 | | Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director |
Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration visited Clarksdale, Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 6th and July 7th as part of her five-day Delta Region Main Street Road Tour which spanned five states and 11 cities. While in Mississippi she lead a discussion on "Small Business Lending in the Delta" at a Roundtable and took a walking tour of the city including visits to locally owned small businesses and the Delta Blues Museum. Following Clarksdale, the tour made its way to Jackson where Administrator Sweet was accompanied by Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber at a Main Street Roundtable at IMS Engineers, a visit and tour of the Cathead Distillery along with a walking tour and visit to many small businesses in the Fondren neighborhood. Later that afternoon Contreras-Sweet toured Main Street Vicksburg with Mayor George Flaggs and visited many small businesses. She then gave remarks at a Vicksburg City Hall press conference.
Pictured here with Main Street Tour Bus are Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and members of the Mississippi District Office: From left to right Mike Baltzgar, PCR, Tarvis Bethea, AO, Alice Dos, SBOS, Rosetta Harris, LRS, Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, Debbie Dean, LRS, Rhonda Fisher, SLRS, Janita R.. Stewart, DD, and Gary Reed, DDD. Not pictured are Penney Melton, EDS, Joyce Conner, BOS, Jeremy Sanford, EDS and the Gulfport Branch Office Staff, Lance Foster, BM, Bridget Johnson-Fells, EDS and Derick Eddy, EDS.
 | | North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director |
North Carolina is Home to Four Women's Business Centers
Women in North Carolina have more resources than ever before to help them start and grow their business. The state added two SBA Women's Business Centers with a grant from SBA's of Office of Women's Business Ownership.
SBA Women's Business Centers (WBC) assist, counsel, and support women-owned small businesses to grow and succeed. They offer business services such as training, coaching, workshops and technical assistance to existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs.
The four centers now provide statewide coverage for North Carolina's women business owners. With centers in Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville and Fayetteville, help is a phone call, a click or a visit away.
Last year, North Carolina SBA WBC's assisted over 4,800 clients and helped them get $1.25 million in funding. We are confident that in 2016 we will reach even more women, minority and rural small businesses, with a total of four Women's Business Centers.
Just ask Tashni-Ann Dubroy, co-owner of Tea and Honey Blends, a salon/spa in Raleigh, NC.
"The SBA Women's Business Center of North Carolina has been our accountability partner. They mentored us and helped us set milestones to manage our success," said Dubroy.
Want to get started? Contact your local women's business center:
The Women's Business Center of Charlotte
The Women's Business Center of North Carolina
The Women's Business Center of Fayetteville
The Western Women's Business Center
For more information on other SBA programs for women, visit the SBA North Carolina Resource Page for Women Business Owners.
The SBA North Carolina district office hosted its first meeting with SBA staff and the four SBA WBC directors.
(first row: L-R) Natalie Williams, director of the new Women's Business Center of Charlotte; SBA Women Business Owner Rep & District Office Technical Representative (DOTR) April Gonzalez; SBA LEDS and SBA DOTR Eileen Joyce.
(second Row: L-R) Steve White, SBA Western Senior Area Manager and DOTR; Lexi Hasapis, director of the Women's Business Center of Fayetteville; Briles Johnson, director of the WBC of NC; Sharon Oxendine, director of the new Western Women Business Center; Joe Ann Shaeffers, SBA BOS and DOTR; NC District Director Lynn Douthett.
 | | South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director |
Please help us welcome Martin Short to the SBA South Carolina team!
Martin became the Economic Development Specialist/PAS with the South Carolina District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in July 2016. Martin promotes and expands the SBA brand, services, and resources offered by the agency. In addition, he assists with creating and cultivating partnerships throughout South Carolina.
He is a former employee of the Virginia Community College System in Richmond, VA. His role there was Project Manager/Coordinator for Greater Richmond GATE. GATE stood for Growing America through Entrepreneurship. Greater Richmond GATE was a Department of Labor entrepreneurship program that provided small business development training and technical assistance for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) participants. He led a team of business instructors, business consultants, case managers, and administrative technicians.
Martin's overall background consists of economic development, entrepreneurship, business development, management, and workforce development. Martin served in the United States Army Reserve from 1990 to 1998. In addition, Martin is a high school basketball official and one of the founders of Virginia Sports Officials Association, Inc. (VSOA), headquartered in Chesterfield, VA.
Martin is a native of Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Paul's College and a Master's of Business Administration from Averett University.
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Welcome, Martin Short, to the SBA team! Martin is the new Economic Development Specialist and Public Affairs Specialist for the South Carolina District Office. |
 | | Tennessee District Office John Mallano, Acting District Director |
SBA Regional Administrator, Cassius Butts, will moderate a panel, "The Pathway To Growth for Single Employer Firms", in Memphis on August 24. Joining Administrator Butts on the panel are Dr. Jeff Wallace, Professor of Economics, University of Memphis; Dr. John Calhoun, CEO, Integrated Management Services and Darrell Freeman, former President of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and Executive Chairman and Founder, Zycron, Inc. The Memphis event is part of the city's annual Economic Development Forum with this year's theme, "The New Dynamics of Building an Intentional Collaborative Scalable Growth Model" expected to draw over 500 attendees. The SBA Tennessee District Office will have a booth and staff at the event on Aug 24 and 25 providing information on SBA programs and services, and on government contracting certification (8(a), HUBZone, and Women Owned Small Business(WOSB). To register for the event, contact the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum, dgordon@mmbc-memphis.org/.
August will also feature workshops presented by the Tennessee District Office on Encore Entrepreneurship, SBA Loans and Programs, Procurement Technical Assistance, and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). The Tennessee District Office also learned recently that Nashville has been selected as a host city for the LGBT Business Builder event in October, part of the nationwide co-sponsorship between the SBA, Affinity,Inc. and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). To register for upcoming SBA Tennessee District Office events, please visit the website, www.sba.gov/tn or contact the office, (615) 736-5881.
