LeMieux, Landrieu, Senate Democrats Fight to Include Credit Relief for Small Businesses

Last night, United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu [D-La.], chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Sen. George LeMieux [R-Fla.] -- along with Sens. Barbara Boxer [D-Cal.], Maria Cantwell [D-Wash.], Amy Klobuchar [D-Minn.], Jeff Merkley [D-Ore.] and Patty Murray [D-Wash., pictured] -- introduced an amendment, S. Amdt. 4500, The Small Community Business Lending Fund, designed to increase capital to small businesses struggling to access lines of credit to hire workers, improve their infrastructure, and grow their businesses.

The LeMieux-Landrieu amendment will inject $30 billion through healthy community banks into the small-business economy. This addition to the Small Business Job Creation Act of 2010 is estimated to save taxpayers $1.1 billion over 10 years.

"Like the rest of our nation, Florida’s economy needs help," said Sen. LeMieux. "Unemployment is high and Floridians want to get back to work. Small-business owners want to grow their operations and rehire workers.

"One of the biggest hurdles is the ability of businesses to secure loans or investors. This bill primes the engine for investment. It is what we need, and it will help move our economy in a positive direction."

Sen. Landrieu agreed. "Small business in America needs a champion in Washington right now," she said. "While many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle choose to hide behind partisan rhetoric, we have been working to make life a little easier for the 27 million small businesses across the country.

"Contrary to what some are saying about this lending fund, this program is not to bail out the big banks; it is for the small businesses across this country. We are simply using the healthy community banks as a conduit to get money flowing to these businesses. I appreciate Sen. LeMieux’s commitment to help small businesses, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation because it is the right thing to do."

"Small businesses are the engines of job creation, and credit is the oil to keep the engine running," Merkley noted. "The Small Business Lending Fund will help small businesses put America back to work. This amendment will give every Senator a chance to show whether they stand for small businesses and more jobs, or prefer to play politics.”

"When are we going to stand up for small businesses in America -- who have had trouble getting access to this capital, who have been penalized?" Sen. Cantwell declared in remarks on the Senate floor. "What they want to know is, if they didn’t cause this mess, how is it that when it came to the big banks, everybody said, 'Yup, here’s the opportunity for you.' Everybody said, 'Here’s the keys to the Treasury. Here’s all the money.'

"But now, when it comes to making sure that community banks are lending to small businesses, people are saying, 'No, Main Street doesn’t have the same priority as Wall Street.

"Small business is asking for an effective lending program through the community banks; that’s all they’re asking for. And we gave Wall Street a bailout -- without any terms and conditions for repayment."

"Small businesses are the heart and soul of so many of our communities, and our economy is strongest when they have the capital they need to keep their doors open and add jobs," said Sen. Murray. "This economic downturn has hit small businesses hard, and we owe it to Main Streets across America to make sure they have access to the capital they need to not only survive, but thrive."

"In an increasingly competitive global economy, it is important to ensure that small- and medium-sized businesses have access to information and tools to capitalize on potential opportunities in foreign markets," Sen. Klobuchar said. "Small businesses are the engine of job creation in this country, and by increasing exports, they can lead the way to economic recovery."

The Small Community Business Lending Fund has been endorsed by several organizations -- including the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Bankers Association, the National Small Business Association, the National Association for the Self-Employed, Small Business Majority, the National Bankers Association, plus the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, among others.

A complete summary of the LeMieux-Landrieu Amendment can be viewed by going to: http://bit.ly/Senate4500.

SOURCES: GovTrack.us, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
____________________

Intuit Online Payroll: Easy to Set Up and Use. Try It Now FREE for 30 Days -- Plus 2 More Months at $9.99! [affiliate link]

Rodrigue Releases Timely 'Emerald Coast' Silkscreen

News reports abound about the BP oil-spill disaster drifting along the Gulf Coast toward Florida's historically pristine beaches. Some sources speculate that the slick could hit shore within days, while others hold that it'll be weeks before the oily mess reaches the Sunshine State.

Meanwhile, GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"], who's not exactly new to facing catastrophes head-on, has just released a piece to simultaneously remind folks of brighter, cleaner and safer days past -- and to subtly warn us about seemingly imminent environmental, economic and health threats.

"The Emerald Coast" [pictured above], an original silkscreen measuring 16x38, is available in a signed and numbered edition of 90. Prints are priced at $1,800, and will likely be available for shipment during the week of July 1.

Glimpse Rodrigue's new work at Rodrigue's Facebook page, and please be sure to leave a comment for our favorite artist-philanthropist-activist-entrepreneur: http://bit.ly/EmeraldCoast.

For the latest events and good deeds happening via the far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts: Youth Development Through Art in Education [GRFA], visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

If you're a small-business owner in need of disaster assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] has resources available: http://bit.ly/DisasterHelpSBA.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue Studio
____________________

Get George Rodrigue's Best-Selling "Why Is Blue Dog Blue?" for Your Favorite Young Person. Ages 4-8. [Amazon.com affiliate link]

OPEN from American Express® and SCORE® Partner to Create Mentorship Program and Workshop Series to Help Enhance Small-Business Growth

This morning, OPEN from American Express® announced a national partnership with SCORE® "Counselors to America's Small Business" to create the "Small Business Speed Coaching Test Drive," a multi-city seminar tour designed to support small-business growth, and trigger success through complimentary educational and mentorship programs.

The "Small Business Speed Coaching Test Drive" series offers small-business owners exclusive, 30-minute, one-on-one evaluation sessions with experienced business coaches from SCORE, and interactive workshops focused on areas that directly affect small-business growth -- including strategic business planning, effective marketing and business finances.

Growth is an important issue facing small businesses today, with more than one-third [37%] of small-business owners reporting growth of their business as their company's single most important priority over the next six months, according to the OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey of business owners conducted in Fall 2007. In addition, 70% of business owners believe their marketing investments are effective in promoting growth, but less than half report seeing a direct uptick in sales from their marketing efforts.

"For small-business owners, growth requires innovative thinking and a customized approach," said Marcy Shinder, vice president of OPEN from American Express. "OPEN is proud to partner with SCORE to provide small-business owners across the country with individual counsel from seasoned experts with the ultimate goal of helping to identify new avenues of strategic growth."

"SCORE is bringing speed coaching to cities across America," says Ken Yancey, SCORE CEO. "Entrepreneurs can test drive our free services and discuss their greatest challenges with a seasoned business counselor.

"We are pleased to have the support of OPEN from American Express to host this national speed coaching tour, starting in Orlando -- one of our nation's most vibrant communities."

More than 250 small-business owners are expected to attend the seminar kick-off in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Walt Disney World® Swan Hotel. Complimentary parking will be provided. In 2008, additional seminars will take place in Phoenix, Ariz.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Chicago, Ill.

Featured topics and speakers of the series include:

* "Building a Business Plan for Growth" by Skip Honigstein, SCORE assistant district director. Honigstein held high-ranking leadership positions in the health-care services industry during his 28-year career, which focused on strategic and financial planning, operations, budgets and turnarounds.

* "Marketing Your Business" by Jerry Ross, Disney National Entrepreneur Center executive director. Ross is an entrepreneur and business executive, whose two decades of experience include leadership positions with major corporations and ownership of several successful companies in Central Florida.

* "Success Stories," a Q&A-style workshop with established business owners.

* "Following the Money" by Jennifer Wybraniec, OPEN from American Express

* Luncheon keynote speaker: Jacob Stuart, Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce president. During his 20 years as president, Stuart has guided the chamber to a prestigious five-star accreditation from the Accrediting Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has worked to provide lifelong learning opportunities for business and community leaders in Orlando.

In addition to meeting with a SCORE counselor at the event, attendees will learn about local SCORE chapter resources and can continue counseling sessions in the future.

More information about the workshop is online at www.score.org/OPEN_events.html.

Registration is free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis at www.bmmreg.com/amex. A maximum of two people per company may attend the event. Limit one coaching session per business. All attendees are eligible to participate in the coaching, workshops and luncheon.

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has helped more than 7.7 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small-business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE on the Web at http://www.score.org/.

About OPEN from American Express
OPEN from American Express, one of GoodBiz113's premier ad partners, is dedicated exclusively to the success of small-business owners and their companies. OPEN supports business owners with unparalleled service. With tailored products and services, the team delivers purchasing power, flexibility, control and rewards to help customers run their business.

Specifically, business owner customers can leverage an enhanced set of products, tools, services and savings -- including charge and credit cards, convenient access to working capital, robust online account management capabilities, and savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners.

For more information about OPEN[SM], visit OPEN.com; or, call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a card or loan. Terms and conditions apply.

Source: OPEN from American Express
____________________

Thank Clients. Reward Employees. Give American Express® Gift Cards.

Sept. 20: Jacksonville Jaguars to Host 5th Annual Taste of the NFL Fundraiser to Help Fight Hunger

This Thursday, Sept. 20, the Jacksonville Jaguars will host their Fifth Annual Taste of the NFL "party with a purpose" to benefit LSS Second Harvest Food Bank.

The event kicks off with a reception at 6 p.m. in the Crown Royal Touchdown Club West, in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. At 7 p.m., guests will enjoy a six-course dinner and wine pairings prepared by chefs of some of the area's top eateries:
* Charles Charbonneau, executive chef of the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa
* Shane Cheshire, executive chef partner of Shay T's Catering Concepts
* Tom Gray, executive chef and partner of Bistro AIX
* Liz Grenamyer, owner-chef of Catering by Liz
* Tom Hoch
* Matthew Medure, owner-chef of Matthew's Restaurant

Tickets are $250 per person. All proceeds go to LSS Second Harvest Food Bank, a program of Lutheran Social Services. Last year, the event raised nearly $112,000 in net revenue -- which translates to more than 415,000 meals for hungry families in Northeast Florida.

LSS works in cooperation with over 500 community-based nonprofit partner agencies that serve individuals and families in need in 17 counties in Northeast Florida: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Union.

This event is one of several local Taste of the NFL fundraisers held in NFL cities throughout the U.S. -- about which GoodBiz113 originally reported about in January ["Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"]. Individually and collectively, the gatherings -- plus TNFL's big Super Bowl Eve gala -- raise millions of dollars to raise awareness about hunger in America and to help feed hungry people of all ages.

For more information and/or tickets for Thursday night's annual fundraising event, call 904.739.7074; or, visit http://www.lssjax.org/.

Sources: LSS Second Harvest Food Bank, Taste of the NFL
____________________

Get 25% off all NFL jerseys at CBSSportsStore.com

Taste of the NFL to Present $200,000 Check to Daily Bread Food Bank of South Florida

Note: This is a follow-up to the story that GoodBiz113 reported about Twin Cities restaurateur Wayne Kostroski's ingenuity and energy behind Taste of the NFL®, which he initially served up for Super Bowl XXVI, held in Minneapolis in 1992. [See Jan. 29 post, "Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America."]

On Wednesday, April 11, 2007, Taste of the NFL -- Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose® will proudly present a check to the Daily Bread Food Bank of South Florida, an affiliate of America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network. The amount: $200,000-plus, which represents total proceeds [e.g., sales from tickets, auction items, merchandise] from this year's Taste of the NFL XVI.

The check presentation will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Broward County Convention Center [1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale], which hosted February's Super Bowl Eve gala.

Among those expected at the event: Wayne Kostroski, TNFL founder and executive director; Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau; Judith Gatti, executive director of Daily Bread Food Bank; and Chef Jamie MacDonald, executive chef of the Broward County Convention Center. Local officials and representatives of key sponsors will also be present.

The Daily Bread Food Bank provides food to 800 different charitable feeding programs throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties. For every $1 the Daily Bread Food Bank spends, food for six meals, or nine pounds of food, is provided.

This year, with TNFL's assistance, the Daily Bread Food Bank was able to capture 85,000 pounds of unused food from Super Bowl-related events and redistribute it to the less fortunate -- e.g, needy children, working poor, people who are physically or mentally ill or challenged, single mothers, homeless individuals and families, senior citizens, persons living with HIV/AIDS.

____________________

4GB and 8GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. Support the Global Fund to Fight HIV and AIDS in Africa.

Taste of the NFL XVI Raises More Than $500,000 for South Florida's Daily Bread Food Bank

On the eve of last Sunday's Super Bowl LXI, 3,000 guests assembled at Fort Lauderdale's Broward County Convention Center for Taste of the NFL, an annual fund-raising event conceived by Creative Cuisine's Wayne Kostroski. [See Jan. 29 GoodBiz113 "Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America" post.]

After a full evening of dining specialties prepared by award-winning chefs representing all 32 NFL cities, libations and live entertainment, at least $500,000 was raised for Daily Bread Food Bank of South Florida, an affiliate of America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network.

"We won't have a definitive number for a couple of weeks," said Kostroski, TNFL's founder and executive director. "In excess of $500,000 will likely be available for distribution."

Generous sponsors allow TNFL to share the wealth of proceeds from ticket, merchandise and auction sales. Among this year's sponsors: Publix Super Markets, Gallo Family Vineyards, Premier Beverage, Xbox 360, Hard Rock Cafe, First Commercial Bank [Minnesota], The Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, Ecolab, Oster, Mr. Coffee, and Sun Sentinel.

After catching his breath from last week's whirlwind trip to South Florida, Kostroski took a moment to reflect on last Saturday's dinner. "It was the best-looking event we have ever done," he beamed. "Comments from the guests were outstanding, and the flat-screen TVs above each food station were a huge hit."

Certain other win-win evening highlights scored with guests and, soon, Daily Bread Food Bank clients -- e.g.: TNFL's largest-ever auction; new team player reps, including Larry Fitzgerald Jr., and Maurice Jones; long lines for photos and autographs from the likes of Carl Eller, Earl Morrall and Donnie Anderson; new chefs representing the flavors of South Florida; and a stellar show by the rock band Styx.

"Styx even signed a Taste of the NFL football helmet, and auctioned that off with an opportunity for a photo with them after the show," Kostroski noted. "It raised $3,800."

Lest anyone think there's any timeout for TNFL, they're wrong. Kostroski and his able team of organizers, chefs, etc., are already planning the annual Super Bowl-related events through 2010.

"We've been planning since August," Kostroski noted. "We'll be at the Phoenix Convention Center next year, and are working on the Tampa event for 2009. The 2010 event will return to the Broward County Convention Center."

Then there are the local TNFL events held in a handful of NFL cities throughout the year. "We expect to add a few more local events in Miami, New York [Giants] and Tampa," Kostroski added.
____________________

For TNFL merchandise -- including limited-edition Super Bowl XLI prints by 3-D pop artist Charles Fazzino, the 2007 Restaurant Guide, caps, etc. -- visit the Taste of the NFL Store.