SBA Region 4 News To Share

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. September 2012 SBA Region IV Monthly Newsletter Brought to you by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Region IV Office Cassius Butts SBA Regional Administrator Region IV Are you Age 50 or Older? Be Sure to Participate in Your Local Event- Anywhere in the Southeast Region The SBA and the AARP are working together to make sure that every aged 50 plus aspiring or existing small business owner has all of the small business resources necessary to succeed right at their fingertips.  National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day events are happening in every state across the nation on Tuesday, October 2nd.  To find the nearest event that can assist you in starting or growing your business on October 2nd, please visit www.sba.gov/mentorday. SBA Administrator Karen Mills will be kicking off this great day in Jacksonville, Florida and I will be partipicating in the Atlanta, Georgia Entrepreneur Mentor Day.  We look forward to seeing you at these events. SBA Region IV Employee To Highlight This Month John McClure III SBA Lender Relations Specialist SBA Kentucky District Office John McClure, III has been part of the Kentucky District Office team since December 2010.  He is a Lender Relations Specialist for the district and actively trains lenders in SBA financing procedures, recruits new SBA lenders and has been able to increase SBA participation among dormant or low-use lenders across the state.  John has been instrumental in developing specialized training materials for various audiences in the lending community.  Prior to joining SBA, John served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years as a Financial Services Specialist, an Avionics Systems Technician and Supervisor, and as Assistant Specialist Flight Chief and Recruiter.  After his Air Force service, John was a Branch Manager and Business Relations Manager for JP Morgan Chase Bank.  John also serves as the Veterans Representative for the Kentucky District Office.     What is Happening In Your Area?? Alabama District Office Thomas Todt, District Director SBA Alabama District Lead Lender Relations Specialist L.D. Ralph spoke at the 2012 Business Summit at the Harbert Center in Birmingham September 14. The event, put on by the Birmingham Business Journal, allowed local executives and decision makers to gain insights and solutions for their businesses through networking opportunities, exhibition booths, strategy sessions, panel discussions. Mr. Ralph spoke about "Getting a Yes from Your Lender: Tips for Getting Financing for Your Business."  For highlights from the conference or further information on these topics, please contact the Alabama District Office. www.sba.gov/al North Florida District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director The North Florida District Office participated in the first annual Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (FLAGGL) conference in Orlando, FL September 12-14. The SBA recently entered into a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with FLAGGL. The partnership is intended to strengthen the lines of communication between SBA and its lenders. FLAGGL was created to provide training and networking opportunities to lenders who originate and service SBA-backed loans.  Veronica Wallace, SBA Lead Lender Relations Specialist provided updates to conference participants on district lending volume and statistics. Other SBA speakers included Cassius Butts, Region IV Administrator, Mary Hernandez, Regional Manager (Exports), and Patrick Kelley, Senior Advisor to the Associate Administrator.  Topics discussed at the training revolved around 7a and 504 loans, as well as industry specific topics such as eligibility and appraisals. The North Florida District and its lenders remain committed to helping small businesses succeed. South Florida District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director The South Florida District Office will sign its last Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) of the fiscal year with the City of Palm Bay, FL on September 25th.  This 15th SAM caps off a successful year of strategic partnerships throughout the 24-county district.  District Director Francisco "Pancho" A. Marrero appreciates the value and necessity of SBA partnerships with local municipalities and organizations in meeting the needs of South Florida's entrepreneurs.  "We are doing everything we can to bring directly to our small businesses the help and vital resources SBA has to offer and that they need to create jobs as they start, grow, and succeed in business.  SAMs provide meaningful partnerships and broader access to our customers," he said.  For example, on October 4th,  the District will moderate and participate on an export financing panel during the 9th Annual International Trade Expo sponsored by the Lauderhill Regional Chamber: a SAM partner. Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director On September 18, Georgia District Director Terri Denison and Grady Hedgespeth, Director of SBA's Office of Financial Assistance, met with local National Bankers Association member institutions in Atlanta to discuss their participation in SBA lending programs.  That same day, Mr. Hedgespeth provided updates on SBA's pilot Community Advantage Loan Program to  eligible Georgia nonprofit organizations. For more information on these topics, please visit www.sba.gov/ga. Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director Entrepreneur Mentor Day in Kentucky National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day is a new event brought to you by the SBA and AARP. This initiative evolved because research shows that "one in four Americans between the ages 44 and 70 are interested in starting their own a business or nonprofit venture in the next five to 10 years."   On October 2 from 8:15 am – 12:00 noon, the SBA Kentucky District Office and its resource partners, SBDC, SCORE and the Women's Business Center, along with AARP and Louisville Metro Government, will celebrate the day by offering free resources for entrepreneurs, breakout sessions on small business topics geared to those age 50+, mentoring services, and networking opportunities at the McKendree University – Louisville Campus.   This event is free, but advance registration is required, as seating is limited. For more information, go to the SBA Kentucky District Office website and click onto Events and Workshops.  Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director The SBA Mississippi District and the Gulfport Branch Offices are in full swing of recovery efforts due to Hurricane Isaac.  The following counties are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA:   Adams, Amite, Clarke, Forrest, George, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Warren and Wilkinson; and Economic Injury Disaster Loans only for the contiguous counties: Claiborne, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, Greene, Issaquena, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Madison, Newton, Perry, Rankin, Simpson, Wayne and Yazoo.  Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the SBA. Those affected by Hurricane Isaac may seek more information or assistance by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955. North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director The NC District Office is pleased to host three Lender Roundtables in October.  SBA's Patrick Kelley, Senior Advisor, Office of Capital Access, will present updates to SBA Standard Operating Procedures and recent improvements to the SBA Small Loan Advantage Program.  Sessions will take place in Candler (near Asheville), Greensboro and Wilmington. For more information about the roundtables contact Celia Rolls at 704-344-6810 or celia.rolls@sba.gov. South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director The South Carolina District Office welcomes Lead Lender Relations Specialist R. Gregg White to the staff.  Prior to joining SBA, he was Director of Business and Cooperative Programs for the USDA-Rural Development South Carolina office. As the office's Lead Lender Relations Specialist, Gregg will promote SBA's loan programs among South Carolina lenders, as well as provide program assistance to the state's active SBA participating lenders. He can be reached at 803-253-3360 or at richard.white@sba.gov. Tennessee District Office Walter Perry, District Director On Tuesday, September 18th, the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, SBA announced eight new nationwide Hispanic partnership agreements, as part of a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and its CEO, Yuri Cunza, along with SBA District Director Walter Perry jointly announced the new partnership arrangement for Nashville at Hispanic Heritage ceremonies held in the area. The SBA and the designated chambers throughout the nation will conduct quarterly programs, with themes such as Access to Capital, for the Hispanic  small business community, many to be conducted in both Spanish and English. The other seven national SBA-Hispanic partnership sites are the cities of Philadelphia, PA, Austin, TX, El Paso, TX along with the states of Florida, Utah, California and Ohio. For more information, contact the SBA Tennessee District Office at www.sba.gov/tn. Connect with us for news and resources UPCOMING EVENTS What's Happening in Your Area? Visit the Regional Calendar of Events by Clicking HERE STAY TUNED 2013 SBA Small Bsuiness Week Nomination Guidelines Will Be Available Soon! Recent SBA Lending Activity Check your local SBA district website for current loan reports. www.sba.gov SBA Region IV SBA Regional Office 233 Peachtree St. NE Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 Email: region_4@sba.gov http://www.sba.gov Region IV Office Directory Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator Mark Berson, Regional Advocate Phone:  404-331-3081  Email: mark.berson@sba.gov Adele Kehoe, Regional Office Manager Email:  region_4@sba.gov Lola Kress, Regional Communications Director Phone: 404-331-2798    Email: lola.kress@sba.gov Sign up in one-click to receive featured updates from our partner at USA.gov, the official web portal of the U.S. government.   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 · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

SBA News to Share From Region 4- August 2012

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. August 2012 SBA Region 4 Monthly News Brought to you by the U.S. Small Business Administration Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator Operation Boots to Business Introduces Returning Veterans to Entrepreneurship Each year, 250,000 service members make the transition from military service to civilian life.  One of the greatest responsibilities our nation has is to honor and support these men and women.  The Obama Administration is committed to providing a seamless transition from active duty to civilian life, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is committed to doing its part. Veterans already over-index in entrepreneurship.  In fact, nine percent of all U.S. firms are owned by veterans.  More than 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses employ more than 5.8 million individuals.  About one quarter of veterans say they are interested in starting or buying their own business. > Read more SBA Employee of the Month to Highlight Barbara "Dale" Lowder, SBA South Carolina District Office Barbara "Dale" Lowder joined the SBA South Carolina District Office in September 1991 as one of five legal staff. One year later, she became District Counsel. Now a one-woman legal department, Dale serves both the office's loan and contracting program divisions. "I have an open door policy," Dale says. "I see myself as part of a team approach while maintaining legal objectivity as District Counsel." Dale's duties range from 504 loan closings to franchise reviews to legal reviews of mentor-protégé and joint-venture agreements. She even regularly answers lenders' SBA loan eligibility questions. Dale's work also extends beyond the South Carolina office. In fact, she often assists with legal work in other Region IV district offices. Dale is a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a bankruptcy specialist. What's Happening for Small Business in Your State? SBA Alabama District Office Thomas Todt, District Director The SBA Alabama District Office and Stover & Associates, Inc. will offer 7(j) training on "Proposal Preparation" September 6, 2012 at the Alabama District Office. Topics covered will include: the proposal review process, developing the tech proposal, strategizing for a winning price, how RFP elements influence strategy, past performance and how the winner is selected. The training will run from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm and is offered to 7(j) and 8(a) eligible companies. There is no cost for the workshop, but seating is limited. To register, contact Stover & Associates at the link provided below. Date: September 6, 2012 Time: 8:30 – 5:00 Location: SBA Alabama District Office, 801 Tom Martin Drive, Suite 201, Birmingham, AL 35211 Register at: http://sbaworkshops.stoverteam.com For further information, contact: Phyllis Embree/Chris Strudthoff at (770) 423-9888 SBA North Florida District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director The North Florida District Office has been focused on providing veteran entrepreneurs with the support they need to be successful. Natalie Hall, the veteran's representative for the office has been participating in a series of events called the "Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program", which provides programs and services to veterans returning from deployment as well as their spouses. Ms. Hall also participated in a pilot for the revised TAP curriculum at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station (NAS). Starting next year the SBA will be delivering an entrepreneurial track for the TAP program. SBA will also participate in the Small Business Development Center's Annual Veteran's Conference scheduled for August 29, 2012 at the University of North Florida. Calvin Jenkins, SBA Deputy Associate Administrator for Government Contracting & Business Development, and Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, SBA District Director, will be speaking at the conference. For more information on the Veteran's Conference please click HERE. SBA South Florida District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero The SBA South FL District Office will sign a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the City of Jupiter on Wednesday, August 29 at 1 pm in the Jupiter City Council Chambers located at 210 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL  33458.  The signing formalizes the working relationship between the SBA and the City to spur economic development and job creation through entrepreneurship and small business growth.  The alliance will work together to offer quarterly workshops that focus on starting, expanding, and financing a business.  Jonel Hein, SBA Deputy District Director will sign the SAM and Vincent Lopresti will manage the relationship for SBA. SBA Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director On August 22, Georgia District Director Terri Denison will represent SBA as a panelist for the plenary session of a Nigerian-American Investment Summit in Atlanta hosted by the Consulate-General of Nigeria.  She will be addressing issues about trade and global commerce and the role SBA plays in international trade and business development.  For more information on the event, please click HERE. SBA Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director The Women's Business Center of Kentucky is celebrating its first year of operation with the First Annual Women's Small Business Expo and Networking Reception on August 27 – 28, 2012 in Louisville, KY.  Participants will be able to showcase their businesses, network with other attendees and meet procurement officers, lenders and small business service providers.   There will be breakout sessions by leading experts in the small business community designed to boost the business bottom line and teach best practices.      The Networking Session will be from 5:30 – 8:00 pm on Monday, August 27.  The Expo and Breakout Sessions will be from 7:30 am – 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 28.  All events will be at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.  Ms. Eleanor Jordan, Executive Director with the Kentucky Commission on Women, and Ralph Ross, SBA Kentucky District Director, will offer opening remarks.  Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, a successful entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist, will introduce the Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Ms. Moira Forbes, President and Publisher of ForbesWoman.    For more information about the First Annual Women's Business Expo and Networking, contact the Women's Business Center of Kentucky.  SBA Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director The Mississippi District recognized its FY2011 Top Lenders and Top CDC on July 26th during the 2012 Mississippi Statewide Lenders Conference held in Biloxi.  In addition to congressional and local public officials who were on hand to welcome the attendees, SBA experts from across the country conducted workshop sessions and the Keynote Luncheon Speaker was Bob Coleman, Publisher of Coleman Publishing.  Small businesses who have received SBA assistance also gave testimonials on how SBA loan assistance helped make their businesses successful.  With the current fiscal year coming to a close, the Mississippi District and Gulfport Branch Offices continue efforts in marketing and outreach to Mississippi small businesses and entrepreneurs' educating them on the nuances of SBA's various loan programs.  We are also promoting the SBA Veterans Operation Boots to Business Program throughout the state.  For more information on this initiative, visit: http://www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness.  Also, visit www.sba.gov/ms for information on upcoming events and activities. SBA North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns visited Charlotte, NC on August 2. During her trip, she toured B. Roberts Foods, a Charlotte manufacturer. The company produces and packages high-end ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meals for the super market industry. Co-owner Robert Shore led the tour of the plant. B. Roberts Foods received $5.5 million in financing through SBA's 504 Loan Program, with the help of Self-Help Ventures Fund and Fifth Third Bank. The loan helped them to move into a 97,000 sq. ft. facility and create 45 new jobs. B. Roberts employs 150. The tour was covered by TV stations FOX Charlotte and News 14 Carolina. SBA South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director Did you know South Carolina has a Women's Business Center? Women's Business Centers are part of SBA's network of resource partners providing free and confidential small business counseling. Located in Charleston, the South Carolina Women's Business Center (SCWBC) offers free one-on-one consulting, monthly free evening networking sessions and low-cost business training during evenings and weekends. The SCWBC, which is hosted by the Center for Women, opened in January 2012, making it the newest SBA resource partner in the state. Although based in Charleston, it offers email and telephone counseling to entrepreneurs across the state. Over the next five years, the SCWBC also plans to open locations in the Upstate, Pee Dee, Lowcountry and Midlands. For more information, visit www.scwbc.net or call the Center at 843-763-7333. SBA Tennessee District Office Walter Perry, District Director SBA Tennessee Lender Awards Presented  The Tennessee District recognized top lenders serving the small business community in fiscal year 2011 at its annual awards event held July 25, 2012, in Nashville. The awards program, sponsored by the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers, recognized top performing SBA lenders in 13 categories for fiscal year 2011.  Jeanne Hulit,  SBA's Associate Administrator for Capital Access,  held a roundtable with the lenders in attendance to discuss new SBA loan programs and initiatives, including Small Loan Advantage 2.0 , and changes to the CAPLines Loan Program that have improved the efficiency of the program. Roundtable participants included winners of the lenders awards along with leadership of the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers and Tennessee Bankers Association. "We're proud to honor our SBA lenders here in the Volunteer State because they are providing the capital necessary to grow our small business community and create jobs," said SBA Tennessee District Director, Walter Perry. Statewide loan volume for fiscal year 2011 totaled $283 million as a result of 584 loans approved in Tennessee. SBA TENNESSEE DISTRICT OFFICE MOVES TO NEW LOCATION IN NASHVILLE Beginning September 1st the Tennessee District Office will have a new address in Nashville: U.S. Small Business Administration, 2 International Plaza, Suite 500, Nashville, Tennessee, 37217, 615-736-5881.  The former location, 50 Vantage Way, Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37228 will be vacated by August 31st.   The TN DO satellite office in Memphis, Renaissance Business Center, 555 Beale Street, Memphis, TN 38103, 901-526-9300 will remain open at its current location. Connect with us for news and resources UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST Access Calendar HERE SBA OFFICE OF ADVOCACY Advocacy Announces Seattle Symposium on Small Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship What does a startup company need to succeed? How does government impact the startup process? What is the role of innovation and how do we nurture it?  Please join the Office of Advocacy on September 19th for a symposium titled Small Business and Government: Maximizing Entrepreneurship, Driving Innovation, a Next 50 event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World's Fair. READ MORE Learn More HERE SBA Region IV Office 233 Peachtree St. NE Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-331-4999 Email: region_4@sba.gov http://www.sba.gov Regional Office Directory Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator Adele Kehoe, Regional Office Manager Email: region_4@sba.gov Mark Berson, Regional Advocate Phone: 404-331-3081    Email: mark.berson@sba.gov Lola Kress, Regional Communications Director Phone: 404-331-2798     Email: lola.kress@sba.gov Sign up in one-click to receive featured updates from our partner at USA.gov, the official web portal of the U.S. government.   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 · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722