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Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
SBA Announces Grants to SBDCs to Support Job Creation Programs
SBA Announces Grants to SBDCs to Support Job Creation Programs
Release Date: January 24, 2011
Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: 11-07
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – The first six of a series of grants to Small Business Development Centers around the country to expand access to programs to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses and create jobs were announced today by Deputy Administrator Marie Johns of the U.S. Small Business Administration. These first six grants are part of $50 million in funding included in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 signed by the President last September.
A key provision of the Jobs Act provides separate one-time funding to the SBDCs to support job creation and retention within the small business community through in-depth business counseling and advising entrepreneurs and small business owners. SBDCs in Alaska, California (Northeastern SBDC program), Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, and South Carolina are the first to receive funding grants from the Jobs Act to expand training and business advisory services.
“The Small Business Jobs Act is the most consequential piece of legislation affecting small businesses enacted in more than a decade,” Johns said. “It provided an array of tools to help small businesses continue to drive economic growth and create jobs, including these grants to expand access to SBDCs around the country which provide valuable business counseling and technical assistance. Whether you’re an entrepreneur working on a business plan to start your own business, or a small business owner who’s looking to take your firm to the next level and add more employees, SBDC counselors are in a position to help.”
The head of Michigan’s program, Carol Lopucki, said the grant will be a big help to that state’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the small businesses it serves. “This Jobs Act award will allow us to bring onboard nine finance and strategy specialists to work directly with existing companies,” she said. “We are off and running. The hiring documents started spinning the moment this hit the ground.”
Funding is allocated to each SBDC under a statutory funding formula based on state population. Additional awards to remaining SBDCs will be issued throughout the coming weeks.
The Jobs Act grants will help to cover SBDCs’ costs of aiding small businesses seeking capital and credit, federal procurement opportunities, energy efficiency audits to reduce energy bills, pportunities to export products or services to foreign customers, invest in broadband technologies, and other assistance.
The one-time-only individual funding amounts to be received by each SBDC, and the intended uses of the grant funding are as follows:
Alaska - $325,000 grant to the Alaska Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• expand services and training to the most rural areas of Alaska including one-on-one counseling, workshops on selected business management topics, and distance learning classrooms to reach a greater number of people;
• hire one full-time and one part-time business adviser; and
• purchase classroom materials to reduce costs to attendees.
California - $616,586 grant to the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• partner with the University of Southern California Technology Transfer Center and federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs to help small businesses negatively impacted by foreign trade practices to develop new export markets;
• offer SBIR and commercialization assistance to technology firms in partnership with California’s regional innovation Hub program (iHUB) and SBA’s Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST);
• add counseling expertise to assist second stage companies increase business growth;
• add business advisers to rural service centers to reach underserved clients;
• support a new virtual microbusiness incubator in rural San Joaquin Valley; and
• increase small business participation in federal, state and local government procurement, with emphasis on regional opportunity for U.S. Forest Service contracting.
Idaho - $325,000 grant to the Idaho Small Business Development Center grant will allow it to:
• focus on job creation with special emphasis on businesses that can create jobs now;
• help the Idaho Department of Commerce to provide assistance to SBIR winners in the commercialization of their products;
• involve college and university students in providing assistance to entrepreneurs so that the small business community is helped while students learn “real world” business issues – the first step in developing an entrepreneurial vision for college and university graduates;
• add business advisory capacity to help companies pursuing international trade to expand their market; and
• continue to support four of the six centers co-located with incubators in the state.
Iowa - $477,754 grant to the Iowa Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• establish an Office of International Trade in Des Moines to serve clients throughout the state by supporting exporters and export-ready businesses;
• epand specialized counseling for technology commercialization at two host research institutions; and
• hire a marketing expert to provide services to the Iowa Lead Center, the newly created Office of International Trade, and the broader network, alleviating the burden from the current SBDC regional directors and allowing them to increase direct client services.
Michigan - $1,622,560 grant to the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center will allow it to:
• hire nine new finance and strategy specialists to work with the existing Manufacturing Assistant Team (MAT) and the Growth Group Team (G2) to provide no-cost counseling services to Michigan manufacturers and other industries;
• hlp small manufacturers diversify into new industries and reduce their automotive reliance;
• duble the work force of high-level assistance throughout the state, and focus on small businesses in the growth phase, in strategic alignment with the state of Michigan’s initiatives.
South Carolina - $655,055 grant to the South Carolina Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• hre a full-time dedicated business adviser to provide tailored assistance to small business manufacturers;
• expand veterans and military outreach activities focused on increasing awareness of the services available through the SBDC to veterans and current military personnel throughout the state;
• expand business advisement resources to meet increased demand;
• extend outreach in key markets;
• increase support to companies seeking to do business with the government; and
• increase international trade efforts.
The grants are a one-time funding intended to meet the critical need for business expansion and job creation, and are not intended to replace the core funding or the matching funds that the SBDCs require to sustain the program annually.
Release Date: January 24, 2011
Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: 11-07
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – The first six of a series of grants to Small Business Development Centers around the country to expand access to programs to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses and create jobs were announced today by Deputy Administrator Marie Johns of the U.S. Small Business Administration. These first six grants are part of $50 million in funding included in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 signed by the President last September.
A key provision of the Jobs Act provides separate one-time funding to the SBDCs to support job creation and retention within the small business community through in-depth business counseling and advising entrepreneurs and small business owners. SBDCs in Alaska, California (Northeastern SBDC program), Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, and South Carolina are the first to receive funding grants from the Jobs Act to expand training and business advisory services.
“The Small Business Jobs Act is the most consequential piece of legislation affecting small businesses enacted in more than a decade,” Johns said. “It provided an array of tools to help small businesses continue to drive economic growth and create jobs, including these grants to expand access to SBDCs around the country which provide valuable business counseling and technical assistance. Whether you’re an entrepreneur working on a business plan to start your own business, or a small business owner who’s looking to take your firm to the next level and add more employees, SBDC counselors are in a position to help.”
The head of Michigan’s program, Carol Lopucki, said the grant will be a big help to that state’s Small Business and Technology Development Center and the small businesses it serves. “This Jobs Act award will allow us to bring onboard nine finance and strategy specialists to work directly with existing companies,” she said. “We are off and running. The hiring documents started spinning the moment this hit the ground.”
Funding is allocated to each SBDC under a statutory funding formula based on state population. Additional awards to remaining SBDCs will be issued throughout the coming weeks.
The Jobs Act grants will help to cover SBDCs’ costs of aiding small businesses seeking capital and credit, federal procurement opportunities, energy efficiency audits to reduce energy bills, pportunities to export products or services to foreign customers, invest in broadband technologies, and other assistance.
The one-time-only individual funding amounts to be received by each SBDC, and the intended uses of the grant funding are as follows:
Alaska - $325,000 grant to the Alaska Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• expand services and training to the most rural areas of Alaska including one-on-one counseling, workshops on selected business management topics, and distance learning classrooms to reach a greater number of people;
• hire one full-time and one part-time business adviser; and
• purchase classroom materials to reduce costs to attendees.
California - $616,586 grant to the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• partner with the University of Southern California Technology Transfer Center and federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs to help small businesses negatively impacted by foreign trade practices to develop new export markets;
• offer SBIR and commercialization assistance to technology firms in partnership with California’s regional innovation Hub program (iHUB) and SBA’s Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST);
• add counseling expertise to assist second stage companies increase business growth;
• add business advisers to rural service centers to reach underserved clients;
• support a new virtual microbusiness incubator in rural San Joaquin Valley; and
• increase small business participation in federal, state and local government procurement, with emphasis on regional opportunity for U.S. Forest Service contracting.
Idaho - $325,000 grant to the Idaho Small Business Development Center grant will allow it to:
• focus on job creation with special emphasis on businesses that can create jobs now;
• help the Idaho Department of Commerce to provide assistance to SBIR winners in the commercialization of their products;
• involve college and university students in providing assistance to entrepreneurs so that the small business community is helped while students learn “real world” business issues – the first step in developing an entrepreneurial vision for college and university graduates;
• add business advisory capacity to help companies pursuing international trade to expand their market; and
• continue to support four of the six centers co-located with incubators in the state.
Iowa - $477,754 grant to the Iowa Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• establish an Office of International Trade in Des Moines to serve clients throughout the state by supporting exporters and export-ready businesses;
• epand specialized counseling for technology commercialization at two host research institutions; and
• hire a marketing expert to provide services to the Iowa Lead Center, the newly created Office of International Trade, and the broader network, alleviating the burden from the current SBDC regional directors and allowing them to increase direct client services.
Michigan - $1,622,560 grant to the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center will allow it to:
• hire nine new finance and strategy specialists to work with the existing Manufacturing Assistant Team (MAT) and the Growth Group Team (G2) to provide no-cost counseling services to Michigan manufacturers and other industries;
• hlp small manufacturers diversify into new industries and reduce their automotive reliance;
• duble the work force of high-level assistance throughout the state, and focus on small businesses in the growth phase, in strategic alignment with the state of Michigan’s initiatives.
South Carolina - $655,055 grant to the South Carolina Small Business Development Center will allow it to:
• hre a full-time dedicated business adviser to provide tailored assistance to small business manufacturers;
• expand veterans and military outreach activities focused on increasing awareness of the services available through the SBDC to veterans and current military personnel throughout the state;
• expand business advisement resources to meet increased demand;
• extend outreach in key markets;
• increase support to companies seeking to do business with the government; and
• increase international trade efforts.
The grants are a one-time funding intended to meet the critical need for business expansion and job creation, and are not intended to replace the core funding or the matching funds that the SBDCs require to sustain the program annually.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Commerce, SBA Launch New Online Tool
News Release
SBA PRESS OFFICE
**************
Commerce, SBA Launch New Online Tool
To Help Small Businesses Begin Exporting
New Site: Six Steps to Exporting Success
**************
Release Date: November 19, 2010
Contact: David Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 10-66
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
**************
WASHINGTON – Small businesses interested in exporting now have a new
online tool to help them tap into the global marketplace to grow their business.
Developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business
Administration, Six Steps to Begin Exporting, www.export.gov/begin, is the
latest tool in the National Export Initiative toolbox to help entrepreneurs begin
exporting.
The six-step process begins with a self-assessment to help potential exporters
gauge their readiness to successfully engage in international trade. The self-
assessment is followed by sections on training and counseling programs;
resources to create an export business plan; information on conducting market
research; assistance for finding foreign buyers; and investigating financing for
your small business exports, foreign investments or projects.
Upon completing the self-assessment, businesses receive a score indicating
their level of readiness. Based on the score, additional resources are identified
fitting their specific needs, including SBA and its nationwide resource partners
SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, as well as Commerce’s U.S.
Export Assistance Centers, which provide individualized support.
“This practical, interactive website is just the latest example of the
commitment the Obama administration has made to helping American
businesses – especially small businesses – sell more of what they make around
the world,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Connecting America’s
entrepreneurs and small businesses with new buyers and new markets abroad
will help create jobs and spur sustainable economic growth.”
“With nearly 96 percent of the world’s customers living outside the United
States and two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power in foreign countries,
tapping into opportunities in the global market makes perfect sense and is
more attainable than ever for small business owners,” SBA Administrator Karen
Mills said. “One of the main hurdles potential exporters face is their fear that
exporting is too complicated. This six-step process addresses and dispels that
concern. Across the administration, we continue to strengthen the tools and
resources so we can be the best possible partner in helping small business
owners grow their customer base beyond our borders and, in doing so, create
new jobs here at home.”
This joint Commerce-SBA effort is part of an array of activities by federal
agencies to support President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which calls
for doubling U.S. exports and supporting 2 million jobs over the next five
years. So far this year, U.S. exports have increased nearly 18 percent
compared to the same period in 2009.
President Obama has outlined five steps the Administration is taking to help
U.S. firms expand sales of their goods and services abroad: creating a new
Cabinet-level focus on U.S. exports, expanding export financing, prioritizing
government advocacy on behalf of U.S. exporters, providing new resources to
U.S. businesses seeking to export, and ensuring a level playing field for U.S.
exporters in global markets.
For more information on export services for small businesses or to find local
counseling and technical assistance resources, please visit www.export.gov.
SBA PRESS OFFICE
**************
Commerce, SBA Launch New Online Tool
To Help Small Businesses Begin Exporting
New Site: Six Steps to Exporting Success
**************
Release Date: November 19, 2010
Contact: David Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 10-66
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
**************
WASHINGTON – Small businesses interested in exporting now have a new
online tool to help them tap into the global marketplace to grow their business.
Developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business
Administration, Six Steps to Begin Exporting, www.export.gov/begin, is the
latest tool in the National Export Initiative toolbox to help entrepreneurs begin
exporting.
The six-step process begins with a self-assessment to help potential exporters
gauge their readiness to successfully engage in international trade. The self-
assessment is followed by sections on training and counseling programs;
resources to create an export business plan; information on conducting market
research; assistance for finding foreign buyers; and investigating financing for
your small business exports, foreign investments or projects.
Upon completing the self-assessment, businesses receive a score indicating
their level of readiness. Based on the score, additional resources are identified
fitting their specific needs, including SBA and its nationwide resource partners
SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, as well as Commerce’s U.S.
Export Assistance Centers, which provide individualized support.
“This practical, interactive website is just the latest example of the
commitment the Obama administration has made to helping American
businesses – especially small businesses – sell more of what they make around
the world,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Connecting America’s
entrepreneurs and small businesses with new buyers and new markets abroad
will help create jobs and spur sustainable economic growth.”
“With nearly 96 percent of the world’s customers living outside the United
States and two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power in foreign countries,
tapping into opportunities in the global market makes perfect sense and is
more attainable than ever for small business owners,” SBA Administrator Karen
Mills said. “One of the main hurdles potential exporters face is their fear that
exporting is too complicated. This six-step process addresses and dispels that
concern. Across the administration, we continue to strengthen the tools and
resources so we can be the best possible partner in helping small business
owners grow their customer base beyond our borders and, in doing so, create
new jobs here at home.”
This joint Commerce-SBA effort is part of an array of activities by federal
agencies to support President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which calls
for doubling U.S. exports and supporting 2 million jobs over the next five
years. So far this year, U.S. exports have increased nearly 18 percent
compared to the same period in 2009.
President Obama has outlined five steps the Administration is taking to help
U.S. firms expand sales of their goods and services abroad: creating a new
Cabinet-level focus on U.S. exports, expanding export financing, prioritizing
government advocacy on behalf of U.S. exporters, providing new resources to
U.S. businesses seeking to export, and ensuring a level playing field for U.S.
exporters in global markets.
For more information on export services for small businesses or to find local
counseling and technical assistance resources, please visit www.export.gov.
SBA Backs Repeal of ‘Burdensome’1099 Reporting
News Release
SBA PRESS OFFICE
***************
SBA Backs Repeal of ‘Burdensome’1099 Reporting
Requirements on Small Business Transactions
***************
Release Date: November 22, 2010
Contact: Hayley Meadvin (202) 205-6948
Release Number: 10-67
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
***************
WASHINGTON – In an open letter to small business owners, SBA Administrator Karen Mills described requirements that small businesses report all transactions greater than $600 as “burdensome,” and called for their repeal. Mills said the reporting requirements in the Affordable Care Act, which were to have begun in 2012, add up to “too much paperwork, too much filing.”
The text of the letter, which is posted on the SBA Website at http://www.sba.gov/1099letter/, follows:
Dear Small Business Owner,
I’m writing to update you on the progress that we have made regarding concerns stemming from the expanded 1099 reporting requirement in the Affordable Care Act, which could affect small businesses starting with 2012 purchases and 2013 filings.
The SBA and the Administration support the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act (introduced by Senator Baucus) which would repeal this provision.
As President Obama said on Nov. 3: “… the 1099 provision in the health care bill appears to be too burdensome for small businesses. It just involves too much paperwork, too much filing. It’s probably counterproductive.” Our support for the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act also follows the Administration’s support in September for Senate Amendment 4595 (offered by Senator Bill Nelson), which would have relaxed the reporting requirement.
All businesses that pay another individual or business $600 or more for goods or services starting in 2012 will be required to issue 1099s. The unintended consequence of a potential paperwork burden resulting from this provision quickly came to light, and we immediately began working across the Administration to reduce the burden of these potential future reporting requirements, as I noted in a letter to small businesses in May. We gathered feedback and comments from the small business community through roundtables, forums, and other feedback mechanisms involving outreach from the SBA, the Treasury Department, the I.R.S. and others.
Importantly, the repeal of this provision through the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act will not adversely affect the Affordable Care Act, which provides important health care benefits to millions of Americans. Small businesses are already taking advantage of the new tax credits for providing health insurance to employees this year, and future benefits such as the insurance exchanges in 2013 will provide small businesses with more negotiating power and reduced administrative costs.
Thank you for the input and feedback that many of you have provided on the impact that the expanded 1099 reporting requirement could have on your business. Overall, with your help, we will continue to ensure that America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners operate in an environment not burdened by excessive regulation, allowing you to continue doing what you do best: grow businesses, create jobs and lead America’s economic recovery.
Sincerely,
Karen Mills
SBA Administrator
SBA PRESS OFFICE
***************
SBA Backs Repeal of ‘Burdensome’1099 Reporting
Requirements on Small Business Transactions
***************
Release Date: November 22, 2010
Contact: Hayley Meadvin (202) 205-6948
Release Number: 10-67
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
***************
WASHINGTON – In an open letter to small business owners, SBA Administrator Karen Mills described requirements that small businesses report all transactions greater than $600 as “burdensome,” and called for their repeal. Mills said the reporting requirements in the Affordable Care Act, which were to have begun in 2012, add up to “too much paperwork, too much filing.”
The text of the letter, which is posted on the SBA Website at http://www.sba.gov/1099letter/, follows:
Dear Small Business Owner,
I’m writing to update you on the progress that we have made regarding concerns stemming from the expanded 1099 reporting requirement in the Affordable Care Act, which could affect small businesses starting with 2012 purchases and 2013 filings.
The SBA and the Administration support the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act (introduced by Senator Baucus) which would repeal this provision.
As President Obama said on Nov. 3: “… the 1099 provision in the health care bill appears to be too burdensome for small businesses. It just involves too much paperwork, too much filing. It’s probably counterproductive.” Our support for the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act also follows the Administration’s support in September for Senate Amendment 4595 (offered by Senator Bill Nelson), which would have relaxed the reporting requirement.
All businesses that pay another individual or business $600 or more for goods or services starting in 2012 will be required to issue 1099s. The unintended consequence of a potential paperwork burden resulting from this provision quickly came to light, and we immediately began working across the Administration to reduce the burden of these potential future reporting requirements, as I noted in a letter to small businesses in May. We gathered feedback and comments from the small business community through roundtables, forums, and other feedback mechanisms involving outreach from the SBA, the Treasury Department, the I.R.S. and others.
Importantly, the repeal of this provision through the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act will not adversely affect the Affordable Care Act, which provides important health care benefits to millions of Americans. Small businesses are already taking advantage of the new tax credits for providing health insurance to employees this year, and future benefits such as the insurance exchanges in 2013 will provide small businesses with more negotiating power and reduced administrative costs.
Thank you for the input and feedback that many of you have provided on the impact that the expanded 1099 reporting requirement could have on your business. Overall, with your help, we will continue to ensure that America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners operate in an environment not burdened by excessive regulation, allowing you to continue doing what you do best: grow businesses, create jobs and lead America’s economic recovery.
Sincerely,
Karen Mills
SBA Administrator
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
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