SBA Introduces New Mobile Application for Small-Business Owners, Entrepreneurs

Smartphone users interested in starting or growing a small business can now find helpful resources at their fingertips via a new SBA mobile application from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

"Increasingly, smartphones are the vehicle through which Americans access information," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "This is certainly true of many entrepreneurs and small-business owners, and this new application ensures they will have access to SBA’s resources and programs -- literally, at their fingertips.

"Greater mobility fits with the new user-focused SBA.gov launched recently, and is another example of the steps we are taking to do a better job of connecting entrepreneurs and small-business owners with the tools to help them start or grow their businesses and create jobs."

Developed and donated as a gift by Palo Alto Software Inc., the SBA mobile app will make the search for extensive resources more efficient -- whether users are starting a new business, or taking an existing business to a new level. The app will first be available for the Apple iPhone®, with future versions for other smartphone platforms.

"Palo Alto Software’s mission is to help small businesses succeed," said Sabrina Parsons [pictured], CEO of Palo Alto Software. "We’ve developed this mobile application for the SBA because we understand the importance of having the right tools and resources when starting or growing a business.

"Ideas can strike entrepreneurs at any moment, and having useful resources available through mobile devices could be the impetus that begins the next big company."

The mobile app will help users connect with SBA district office staff and SBA-affiliated counselors and mentors who can provide free, personalized small-business assistance. The user-friendly format of the app will help answer questions such as: How do I start a business? Where can I go in my area to get free help with writing a business plan? And where do I begin finding funding for my business?

The SBA mobile app also features a built-in startup cost calculator to help estimate the costs associated with getting a business off the ground, plus an SBA partner locator to help users find SBA offices, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE.

Users will also have mobile access to SBA video content and social media alerts to provide them with tips on the go. This will include live updates from the SBA’s YouTube channel and from SBA’s Twitter feeds.

SBA's free mobile app can be downloaded from the agency’s website at http://1.usa.gov/MobileSBA.

SOURCES: Palo Alto Software Inc. [photo], U.S. Small Business Administration
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SBA Announces 15 Appointments to Advisory Council on Underserved Communities

Fifteen individuals from across the country have been appointed to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s [SBA] Council on Underserved Communities [CUC].

Building on SBA’s core programs and Recovery initiatives, the CUC will provide input, advice and recommendations on strategies to help strengthen competitiveness and sustainability for small businesses in underserved communities. These strategies will be focused on increasing entrepreneurship and technical assistance; creating new, and strengthening existing, outreach and training; and raising awareness in underserved communities of SBA programs and services.

The CUC is chaired by Catherine Hughes [pictured], founder and chairperson of Radio One and TV One, and will have 20 members who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and geographic areas.

"One of SBA’s core missions is to support small businesses in traditionally underserved communities -- including minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and in rural areas," said SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns. "The Council on Underserved Communities will provide valuable insight and advice into how we can ensure that small businesses in these communities throughout the country have access to the tools they need to grow, create jobs and win the future."

The CUC’s first meeting will be held in July, in Washington, DC. Before the first meeting, members of the CUC will hold listening sessions in their regions to hear from small-business owners and members of the community about what they need from the SBA.

"Thirty years ago, I grew my business with the help of an SBA loan," said Hughes. "Now, I’m so pleased to be chairing the Council on Underserved Communities, and help entrepreneurs in communities across the country take advantage of those same opportunities for success."

The CUC is part of the SBA’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach into underserved communities. While the nation’s economic recovery is moving forward, that recovery has been uneven --particularly for socially, economically and geographically disadvantaged small-business owners. To help SBA better address the challenges facing small-business owners, the CUC will meet regularly and advise SBA on ways to increase access to capital, and promote sustainability, growth, and job creation.

The 15 Newly Appointed Members of the SBA's New Council on Underserved Communities:

* Dr. Hassell McClellan is an associate professor and former associate dean of Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. He has previously worked in corporate banking with Harris Trust in Chicago and as a faculty member at the Harvard Business School. McClellan’s specialties include strategic management and global competitiveness. He is the author of several case studies, as well as a book on the banking industry, "Managing One-Bank Holding Companies."

* Dasil "Das" Elius Velez is currently serving as a senior executive in New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration with the Empire State Development Corporation, as the executive director of Minority and Women Business Development. Prior to Velez’s appointment, he served as senior advisor to Gov. David A. Paterson. He has also held a number of executive positions in public service sector and was a founding partner of Carro, Velez, Carro and Mitchell LLP, which became New York City's largest Latino law firm.

* B. Doyle Mitchell Jr. serves as president and CEO of Industrial Bank in Washington, D.C. Mitchell is chairman of the National Bankers Association and the D.C. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. He serves as a board member for the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, the Council for Court Excellence, the Minbanc Foundation and the Sewell Music Conservatory.

* Eric Collins, COO of Mobile Posse in McLean, Va., is a veteran of the mobile software industry. Prior to his work at Mobile Posse, Collins led the Tegic business unit for Nuance Communications. Eric also headed marketing for Nuance’s Mobile Division. Following law school, Eric worked as a strategy consultant for technology and entertainment companies before launching a career in mobile technology at AOL.

* Derek S. Hyra is an associate professor of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on inner-city economic development, with an emphasis on national housing policy, urban politics, affordable housing and small-business finance, poverty, and race. Hyra previously worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, assessing affordable housing and small-business lending programs; and at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, examining the community-level impact of national urban legislation. He currently serves as the vice chairman of the board of commissioners for the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

* Ron Busby Sr. is president of the United States Black Chamber of Commerce Inc. Prior to coming to Washington, D.C., he was the president of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, and served as the president of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area [Oakland, Cal.]. Recognized as one of the country’s best CEOs, Busby grew his first business, USA Super Clean, from $150,000 annual revenue to over $15 million per year. He has served as co-chair of the XLII Super Bowl Host Committee and on the board of directors of the Arizona Governor’s African American Leadership Council.

* Dr. Randy Blass is a faculty member of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, and the program director for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities [EBV] Program -- all within the College of Business at Florida State University. Before joining the faculty at Florida State, he served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Blass specializes in power and influence in organizations, organizational socialization, and human resource management, and has more than 25 years of practical experience in designing and implementing training and development programs.

* Ned Fawaz, the founder and CEO of Energy International Corporation, is responsible for the expansion in worldwide business, including tactical and strategic sales. Beginning his career over 32 years ago, Dr. Fawaz has an extensive background in international business, and in the mechanical and electrical engineering and equipment industry. He studied mechanical engineering at York Institute in York, Penn., and worked for 10 years for York International. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree [LLD] from Davenport University of Michigan, served in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Germany for two years.

* Eddie Reyes serves as the historically underutilized business coordinator for the University of North Texas. Reyes was selected by the SBA as the 2010 National Minority Small Business Champion the Year. Reyes also serves as the chairman of the board of directors, Greater Grand Prairie Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

* LeeAnn Marker is a business advisor for Hutchinson Credit Union and a small-business owner. As a commercial lender in a Kansas community with a population of approximately 45,000, Hutchinson has experienced first-hand the challenges facing America’s small businesses in today’s uncertain economic environment.

* Roni K. Wisdom is CFO for the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group, a nonprofit regional economic development organization that provides funding and counseling to small businesses, nonprofits and local governments. Wisdom previously worked as a manager and owner of small businesses, a business banker, and a small-business counselor. She spent much of her past 30 years in the banking field, with most of those years in "nontraditional" financing in the rural counties of Colorado.

* Hilda Kennedy serves as founder/executive director, AmPac Tri State Certified Development Company in Grand Terrace, Cal. -- a certified lender for the SBA’s 504 loan program and the first faith-based CDC in the country. Kennedy previously worked in local government in the city of Inglewood for more than 12 years as chief of staff to the mayor and city administrator, public information officer, and economic development director.

* Rod Hsiao is director of strategic operations for BUILD, a nationally recognized nonprofit that uses entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, low-income students through high school to college success. He worked in economic development research at Harvard and Yale, then served as a senior legislative advisor in the U.S. Congress on international development and domestic policies. He led two statewide studies for Maine and Massachusetts to assess the needs of their manufacturers, and recommended ways to spur innovation and economic competitiveness. Subsequently he worked in management consulting for SRI Consulting and A.T. Kearney before returning to the nonprofit sector as a COO to help lead nonprofits involved in teaching business and management skills.

* Hugh Short serves as president and CEO of Alaska Growth Capital. He is also the current chairman of the Alaska Industrial Development Authority [AIDEA], a one-billion-dollar, state-owned economic development agency based in Anchorage, Alaska. Additionally, Short serves as the current treasurer of the Alaska Humanities Forum and Pacific Northern Academy. Past leadership positions include roles as mayor and member of the city council for the city of Bethel; vice president of support services for Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation; and managing partner of the Subway of Bethel. Active in many community service roles, Short is a founding member of the Alaskan Native Leadership Network, and has served as director of Yuut Elinaurviat [People’s Learning Center], Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus.

* Marilyn Strickland was sworn-in as mayor of Tacoma, Wash., on Jan. 5, 2010, and previously served as a city council member for two years. Born in Seoul, Korea, Strickland grew up in South Tacoma and has been a downtown resident for over a decade. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Clark-Atlanta University. Strickland has professional experience in both the private and public sectors. She served as development officer for the Tacoma Public Library, and has held management positions with the American Cancer Society, Starbucks Coffee Company and JayRay Communications, where she worked with Tacoma Public Utilities to help launch Click!Network. Strickland has been appointed to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Public Education Task Force. Active in the local community, she is a member of the Black Collective and previously served on the boards of KBTC Public TV Association, the Grand Cinema, and Safe Streets.

GoodBiz113's Take

SBA's formation of its CUC marks a significant step forward in sharing the wealth of small-business opportunities across diverse demographics.

Kudos to this highly impressive cadre of advisors for their willingness to serve for the greater entrepreneurial good.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
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SBA Announces Two New Initiatives to Boost Lending to Underserved Markets

While small-business owners and entrepreneurs in traditionally underserved communities continue to face challenges accessing capital, the U.S. Small Business Administration today announced two new initiatives aimed at increasing SBA-backed loans to small businesses in these markets.

SBA Administrator Karen Mills also today named Catherine L. Hughes [pictured], chairperson and founder of Radio One Inc. [NASDAQ: RAIO] -- and, in fact, a former SBA borrower -- to chair the agency’s new Advisory Council on Underserved Communities.

SBA and U.S. Department of Commerce studies have shown the importance of lower-dollar loans to small-business formation and growth in underserved communities.

With that in mind, the two new loan initiatives -- Small Loan Advantage, and Community Advantage -– are aimed at increasing the number of lower-dollar SBA 7[a] loans going to small businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved communities. The agency’s most popular loan product, 7[a] government-guaranteed loans, can be used for a variety of general business purposes -- including working capital, and purchases of equipment and real estate.

In conjunction with the implementation of these two new Advantage loan initiatives by March 15, the agency will end its existing Community Express pilot loan program on April 30.

"Over the last two years, we’ve seen lending to all small businesses tighten up, and that tightening has been even greater in traditionally underserved communities -- including among minorities, women and in rural areas," said Mills. "These new Advantage initiatives are aimed directly at getting more loans into these markets, so these small-business owners can get the capital they need to start or grow their business and create good-paying jobs in local communities across the country."

Built on what the agency refers to as its "Advantage" platform, both Small Loan Advantage and Community Advantage will offer a streamlined application process for SBA-guaranteed 7[a] loans up to $250,000. These loans will come with the regular 7[a] government guarantee; i.e., 85 percent for loans up to $150,000 and 75 percent for those greater than $150,000.

Small Loan Advantage will be available to the 630 financial institutions across the country in the agency’s Preferred Lenders Program [PLP]. Under PLP, which includes most of the agency’s highest-volume lenders, SBA delegates the final credit decisions to lenders.

With Community Advantage, the agency will expand the points of access that small-business owners have for getting loans by opening SBA’s 7[a] loan program to "mission-focused" financial institutions -- including Community Development Financial Institutions, Certified Development Companies and nonprofit microlending intermediaries.

Community Advantage will leverage the experience these institutions already have in lending to minority, women-owned and start-up companies in economically challenged markets -- along with their management and technical assistance expertise -- to help make their borrowers successful.

"These two new loan initiatives tackle a couple of factors we know exist when it comes to the challenges small-business owners face,” Mills noted. "First, to add more incentive for lower-dollar loans in these communities, we are providing a streamlined process for lenders along with the regular 7[a] government guarantee.

"Second, we are taking steps that will increase the number of places small-business owners in underserved communities can go to get loans. And also, with Community Advantage, we are making sure that the additional assistance some borrowers may need through counseling and technical assistance will be available."

Mills added that the new loan initiatives are in line with the agency’s core mission of supporting small-business growth and job creation, and goals of the new Advisory Council on Underserved Communities, announced today. The Council will provide input, advice and recommendations on how SBA, through its programs, can help strengthen competitiveness and sustainability for small businesses in underserved communities.

"Many entrepreneurs and small-business owners across the country have enormous potential to drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs in their local communities, but too often they face barriers in fulfilling that potential," said Hughes, who will chair the council.

A Nebraska native, Hughes began a career in radio in 1969 at KOWH, a small black-owned radio station in Omaha. She came to Washington, D.C., as a lecturer at Howard University’s School of Communications, and worked at several local radio stations before she and then her husband purchased a small D.C. station and turned it into Radio One. Later, Hughes bought out her husband and became sole owner -- at one point, moving into the station to make ends meet.

In January of 2004, Hughes launched TV One, a cable television channel targeted at the African American community. Today, Radio One owns 52 radio stations in major markets across the country, making the company the largest black-owned radio chain in the nation.

"I’m excited to be a part of this effort to strengthen the link between these entrepreneurs and the SBA’s wide variety of resources," Hughes said. "SBA assistance played a critical role in my success, and I’m eager to do all I can to help make sure others have access to these same opportunities."

The agency’s new Advisory Council on Underserved Communities will consist of 20 members from across the country. Over the next few weeks, the SBA will accept nominations for members to serve on the CUC.

Members will provide a critical link between SBA and small businesses in traditionally underserved communities. It is anticipated that members will reflect a variety of key sectors -- including business owners, banking and finance, community development, nonprofit and academia. Member nominations can be emailed to underservedcouncil@sba.gov.

Senator Landrieu Praises New SBA Programs
Sen. Mary L. Landrieu [D-La.], chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today issued the following statement after the SBA announced its two new lending initiatives for underserved communities:

"Since the start of the financial crisis, we have seen credit lines completely shut off," said Landrieu. "As a result, small businesses in underserved areas of the country have had the hardest time obtaining adequate credit.

"The two new loan initiatives announced today have the potential to open up the credit lines to these struggling small businesses by streamlining the application process and increasing the number of lenders that entrepreneurs can choose from when obtaining a loan. By improving the access to credit in these areas, we would give these businesses in underserved communities the opportunity to boost our economy and create jobs.

"Furthering their commitment to increasing loans in underserved areas, the SBA’s Advisory Counsel on Underserved Communities provides the added support these businesses need to access SBA resources and take advantage of these lending programs.

"I look forward to working with the Council once they are assembled to energize small businesses in the most underserved areas of America."

GoodBiz113's Take
SBA's Karen Mills and her colleagues are clearly in touch with the plight of promising small-business owners whose dreams have been hamstrung for far too long by far too many cash-hoarding banks. The two programs announced today should prove to be a boon for small businesses, as well as for those banks that have have been reticent to lend money to them.

Further, the appointment of Catherine L. Hughes to chair SBA’s new Advisory Council on Underserved Communities is a welcome move to help spread the far-reaching wealth of entrepreneurship. Her solid business experience, success and leadership will likely benefit legions of current and would-be small-business owners.

SOURCES: U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Small Business Administration
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Verbatim: Small Business Fuels Discourse During 2010 Midterm Election Campaigns

Periodically, GoodBiz113 puts its ear to the rail to listen to what politicos, pundits and others have recently said about small businesses and our integral role in growing the U.S. economy. Today, just eight days before the critical 2010 midterm elections, we share some views with you, our loyal readers.

* * *

"Now, I want to just say a little bit about Ron, because so much of the reason we're here is to make sure that he continues to do the outstanding work that he's doing on behalf of south Florida. They have lived here for 25 years. This is where they raised their family...

"This is where Ron helped run a small business. That's who he's been fighting for since he got to Washington -- families and small business owners -- because he's part of them, he understands them." -- President Barack Obama, on a campaign stop in South Florida to support second-term Rep. Ron Klein [D.-Fla.], who aims to beat back challenger Allen West [Miami's CBS4.com, Oct. 11]

* * *

"The Small Business Jobs Act is helping the private sector move the ball forward on job creation and economic growth... I'm pleased to see these SBA loans made to local businesses, and I expect that this law will continue to expand private-sector lending in the near term through the incentives it provides for small community lenders." -- Rep. Tim Walz [D-Minn.], teaming with Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken [D-Minn.], and Reps. Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison [D-Minn.] to announce that more than $18 million in loans will go to small businesses throughout Minnesota, helping many of them remain open and creating nearly 100 jobs [TradingMarkets.com, Oct. 11]

* * *

"Spending within our means, looking at our long-term structural deficits, supporting small businesses." -- Small-business owner-turned-Congresswoman Betsy Markey [D-Col.], summing up her top goals as she seeks a second term representing citizens of Colorado's Fourth District [Capital News Connection, Oct. 15]

* * *

"I'm working with your local leaders to provide the kinds of investments to create jobs, so you're strong again and our Main Street businesses keep their doors open." -- Three-term U.S. Senator Patty Murray [D-Wash.], who has helped secure millions of dollars to repair Howard A, Hanson Dam and replace Seattle's South Park Bridge [Seattle Times, Oct. 17]

* * *

"If Republicans in Congress have their way, the millions of women who will benefit from our small-business lending programs -- from the consumer protections in the Financial Reform bill, and from the tax cuts that have helped them through a challenging economic time -- would be left without these benefits... There is an important choice for women in this country to make about whether that is the direction they want the country to move in." -- White House Deputy Communications Director Jen Psaki [ABC News, Oct. 18]

* * *

"The President knew when he came into office that he was going to have to take immediate and bold action, or we might fall down in a hole that we could not get out of. The President takes office in January of 2009. And within 30 days, passes the Recovery Act.

"Now, in the first 100 days of the Recovery Act, that gives tax relief to more than 110 million people, cuts taxes for small business eight different times. In that 100 days, authorizes 3,000 transportation projects, starts on the path to improvement...

"And it doesn’t stop with the Recovery Act. Already this year, the President signed the HIRE Act, which gives specific incentives for companies to hire people who have been unemployed for a period of time, and gets through the Small Business Jobs Act, which brings up to 16 the number of times he cut taxes for small business, reduced the capital-gains rate to zero for anybody starting their own business or investing in a small business." -- Austan Goolsbee, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, during the second edition of his White House White Board [White House, Oct. 19]

* * *

"I look at the jobs issue as a step-by-step process. The Recovery Act stopped our economy from going off a cliff and saved the jobs of millions of teachers, police, firefighters, first responders and others. I also have seen firsthand how it has created private-sector jobs across Wisconsin -- whether it is building a new bridge in Medford, a water sanitation system in Wisconsin Rapids, or a senior center in Plymouth.

"The next step was the HIRE Act, which gave businesses that hired workers that had been unemployed for 60 days a tax break.

"And now we have passed the Small Business Jobs Act to free up credit, so small businesses -- responsible for the majority of job creation in our country -- can expand and create jobs.

"I want to continue these targeted efforts with a jobs tax credit, which would extend and expand the HIRE Act tax break by making any business that hires new workers, expands hours or expands payroll, eligible for a tax break. As we continue to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression, this type of tax break will help businesses next year when they are in a better position to hire." -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold [D-Wis.], during a Q&A interview [Telegraph-Herald Online, Oct. 21]

* * *

"I think that would be a terrible mistake... Our economy depends on a financial system in which everyone competes on a level playing field, and everyone is held to the same rules—whether you’re a big bank, a small-business owner, or a family looking to buy a house or open a credit card." -- President Barack Obama in his weekly address, warning that if Republicans take control of Congress this November, they would repeal consumer protections in the Frank-Dodd financial regulatory reform legislation, which he called "one of the most important victories" he has achieved in office. [Weekly Address, Oct. 23]

* * *

"Clark, an attorney and mother of two, is a respected legislator from St. Cloud who was first elected in 2005. Endorsed by Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Clark has been a strong advocate for small-business owners, and pushed for the development of angel investor tax credits in the state." -- Editorial endorsement of Tarryl Clark [D-Minn.], who is challenging two-term U.S. House Rep. Michelle Bachmann [R-Minn.] to represent voters in Minnesota's Sixth District [Star Tribune endorsement, Oct. 24]

* * *

"Barbara Boxer's top priority is to create jobs and turn our economy around. She is fighting to provide more loans to small businesses, provide tax breaks to the middle class, cut our deficit in half by 2013, rebuild our roads and bridges and make California the hub of the new clean-energy economy.

"With so many people out of work, it's shocking that her opponent still wants to go back to the job-killing policies of yesterday. Polices that led to 700,000 job losses a month and the crisis on Wall Street due to deregulation.

"Boxer is working hard to reverse those policies and replace them with smart, targeted initiatives that create jobs here at home -- jobs for today and tomorrow...

"Boxer knows that small businesses are the lifeblood of strong local economies. This is why she supported the Small Business Jobs Act, so that small businesses can expand and create jobs. This legislation includes a provision based on a bill authored by Boxer that would create a $30 billion small business lending fund to help community banks extend credit to small businesses.

"The legislation will help small businesses compete for large federal contracts, increase the maximum size of SBA-backed loans and reduce the fees associated with these loans. The bill also includes $12 billion in tax incentives to help small and medium-sized businesses expand and create new jobs.

"Boxer strongly supported the economic Recovery Act that will help provide nearly 65,000 small-business loans, including 9,600 loans to Californians worth $5.2 billion in lending authority. These loans will make it possible for successful small businesses to expand, hire more employees and further stimulate our local economy." -- Former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer [1991-1998], endorsing U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer [D-Cal., pictured above with supporters] for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate [San Jose Mercury News, 10/24/2010]

SOURCES: ABC News, GovTrack.us, OpenCongress, San Jose Mercury News, Seattle Times, StarTribune,com, Telegraph-Herald.com, The White House
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SBA Releases Final Women-Owned Small Business Rule to Expand Access to Federal Contracting Opportunities

With today's publication of a final rule in the Federal Register, the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin implementation of its women-owned small business [WOSB] contracting program. The agency expects the program to be available for WOSBs in early 2011.

The rule is part of the Obama Administration’s overall commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts -- in particular, those owned by women, socially and economically disadvantaged persons, and veterans.

This rule identifies 83 industries in which WOSBs are under-represented, or substantially under-represented, in the federal contract marketplace. In addition to opening up more opportunities for WOSBs, the rule is also another tool to help achieve the statutory goal that five percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses.

"Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing sectors of our nation’s economy, and even during the economic downturn of the last few years, have been one of the key job-creation engines in communities across the country," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills [pictured].

"Federal contracts provide critical opportunities for owners of small firms to take their business to the next level and create good-paying jobs," Mills added. "Despite their growth and the fact that women lead some of the strongest and most innovative companies, women-owned firms continue to be under-represented in the federal contracting marketplace. This rule will be a platform for changing that by providing greater opportunities for women-owned small businesses to compete for, and win, federal contracts.”

With the publication today of the final rule, SBA -- in conjunction with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council -- will begin a 120-day implementation of the WOSB contracting program, including building the technology and program infrastructure to support the certification process and ongoing oversight. With implementation expected to take several months, the agency expects that federal agencies’ contracting officers will be able to start making contracts available to WOSBs under the program in early 2011.

The creation of a rule to increase federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs was authorized by Congress in 2000. Since that time, SBA took a number of steps to study and analyze the market -- including looking at participation by women-owned small businesses across all industries.

Various draft rules were made available for public comment in prior years, but shortly after taking office, the Obama Administration drafted a new, comprehensive rule, based on the analysis of the prior studies and on all the questions and comments previously received. The proposed rule was published for public comment on March 2, 2010, for 60 days. SBA received over 1,000 comments during that time.

Some of the components of the Women-Owned Small Business rule include:

* To be eligible, a firm must be 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens. The firm must be "small" in its primary industry, in accordance with SBA’s size standards for that industry. In order for a WOSB to be deemed "economically disadvantaged," its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the final rule.

* Based upon the analysis in a study commissioned by the SBA from the Kauffman-RAND Institute for Entrepreneurship Public Policy, the final rule identifies 83 industries [identified by "NAICS" codes] in which women-owned small businesses are under-represented or substantially under-represented in federal procurements.

* The SBA has identified eligible industries based upon the combination of both the "share of contracting dollars" analysis, as well as the "share of number of contracts awarded" analysis used in the RAND study. This differs from an earlier proposed version of the rule, which identified only four industries in which women-owned small businesses were under-represented. This earlier version proposed to identify eligible industries based solely on the "share of contracting dollars" analysis used in the RAND study.

* In accordance with the statute, the final rule authorizes a set-aside of federal contracts for WOSBs where the anticipated contract price does not exceed $5 million in the case of manufacturing contracts, and $3 million in the case of other contracts. Contracts with values in excess of these limits are not subject to set-aside under this program.

* The final rule removes the requirement, set forth in a prior proposed version, that each federal agency certify that it had engaged in discrimination against women-owned small businesses in order for the program to apply to contracting by that agency.

* The proposed rule allows women-owned small businesses to self-certify as "WOSBs" or to be certified by third-party certifiers, including government entities and private certification groups.

* The final rule requires WOSBs which self-certify to submit a robust certification verification, to complete the certifications at the federal Online Representation and Certification Application ["ORCA"] Web site, and also to submit a core set of eligibility-related documents to an online "document repository" to be maintained by the SBA. Each agency’s contracting officers will have full access to this repository.

* The SBA intends to engage in a significant number of program examinations to confirm eligibility of individual WOSBs.

* In the event of a contract protest or program review, the SBA has the authority to request substantial additional documentation from the WOSB to establish eligibility.

* SBA intends to pursue vigorously punitive action against ineligible firms that seek to take advantage of this program and, in so doing, to deny its benefits to the intended legitimate WOSBs.

* * *

GoodBiz113's Take: After languishing for eight long years during the Bush Administration, this rule in favor of WOSBs couldn't be more timely. Hats off to Administrator Mills and her team for finally making it happen for women-owned small businesses and our stakeholders.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
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SBA’s Economic Recovery Efforts and Impact Top $29.4 Billion

The U.S. Small Business Association [SBA] received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small business-lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA received an additional $305 million to continue several ARRA programs.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Has Supported More Than $29.4 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of July 30, SBA had supported $29.4 billion-plus in small-business lending, with the approval of $22.1 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17, 2009. From ARRA's inception on Feb. 17, 2009, to July 30, 2010, weekly SBA loan-dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 loan programs, compared to the weekly average before passage.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [21 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses.

* Secondary Markets Uptick with 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up, and premiums are beginning to recover. Over the past 13 months, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $342 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* America's Recovery Capital [ARC] Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of July 30, SBA had approved 8,130 ARC loans -- totaling over $263.3 million by 1,278 lenders -- to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding -- plus an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March, and April -- for the agency’s lending programs, including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7[a] loans -- from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, thus providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses, by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:

* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn more about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed throughout America, go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA-Backed Loans to Small Businesses Top $29.3 Billion, Thanks to Recovery Act Funding

The U.S. Small Business Association [SBA] received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small business-lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA received an additional $305 million to continue several ARRA programs.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Has Supported More Than $29.3 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of July 2, SBA had supported $29.3 billion-plus in small-business lending, with the approval of $22 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17. From Feb. 17, 2009, to July 2, 2010, weekly SBA loan-dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 programs, compared to the weekly average before passage.

* More Lenders Making Loans: From Feb. 17, 2009, to June 25, 2010, more than 1,363 lenders who had not made a loan since at least 2007 made a 7[a] loan.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [21 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses.

* Secondary Markets Uptick with 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up, and premiums are beginning to recover. Over the past 13 months, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $342 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* America's Recovery Capital [ARC] Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of July 2, SBA had approved 7,925 ARC loans -- totaling over $256.6 million by 1,268 lenders -- to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding, plus an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March, and April for the agency’s lending programs -- including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7[a] loans -- from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, thus providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses, by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:

* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn more about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed throughout America, go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA Supports More Than $29.2 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small-business lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA has received an additional $305 million to continue some ARRA programs through May.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Has Supported More Than $29.2 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of June 25, SBA has supported $29.2 billion-plus in small-business lending, with the approval of $21.9 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17. From Feb. 17, 2009 to June 25, 2010, weekly SBA loan dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 programs, compared to the weekly average before passage.

* More Lenders Making Loans: From Feb. 17, 2009 to June 25, 2010, more than 1,363 lenders who had not made a loan since at least 2007, made a 7[a] loan.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [21 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses.

* Secondary Markets Uptick with 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up, and premiums are beginning to recover. From June to May, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $330 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* America's Recovery Capital [ARC] Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of June 25, SBA has approved 7,871 ARC loans totaling over $254.8.5 million by 1,265 lenders to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding, plus an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March and April for the agency’s lending programs -- including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7[a] loans -- from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:

* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn more about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed throughout America, go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA-Backed Lending Tops $29 Billion, Thanks to Recovery Act Funds

The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small-business lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA has received an additional $305 million to continue some ARRA programs through May.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Has Supported More Than $29 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of June 11, SBA had supported $29 billion-plus in small-business lending, with the approval of $21.7 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17. From Feb. 17, 2009 to June 11, 2010, weekly SBA loan dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 loan programs, compared to the weekly average before passage.

* More Lenders Making Loans: From Feb. 17, 2009 to June 11, 2010, more than 1,354 lenders who had not made a loan since at least 2007, made a 7[a] loan.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [20 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses.

* Secondary Markets Uptick with 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up, and premiums are beginning to recover. From June to May, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $330 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* America's Recovery Capital [ARC] Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of June 11, SBA had approved 7,776 ARC loans -- totaling over $251.7 million by 1,258 lenders -- to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding, plus an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March and April for the agency’s lending programs -- including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7(a) loans -- from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:
* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn more about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed throughout America, go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA's Recovery Act-Related Small-Business Lending Tops $28.6 Billion

The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small business-lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA has received an additional $305 million to continue some ARRA programs through May.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Has Supported More Than $28 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of June 4, SBA had supported more than $28.6 billion in small-business lending, with the approval of $21.5 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17. From Feb. 17, 2009 to June 4, 2010, weekly SBA loan dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 loan programs, compared to the weekly average before passage.

* More Lenders Making Loans: From Feb. 17, 2009 to May 28, 2010, more than 1,347 lenders who had not made a loan since at least 2007, made a 7[a] loan.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [21 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses.

* Secondary Markets Uptick with 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up and premiums are beginning to recover. From June to May, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $330 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* America's Recovery Capital [ARC] Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of June 4, SBA has approved 7,711 ARC loans, totaling over $249 million by 1,255 lenders, to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding, plus an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March and April for the agency’s lending programs -- including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7[a] loans -- from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:

* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn more about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed throughout the U.S., go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA Supports More Than $28.4 Billion in Small-Business Lending

The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small-business lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA received an additional $305 million to continue some ARRA programs through May.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Supports More Than $28 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of May 28, SBA had supported $28.4 billion-plus in small-business lending, with the approval of $21.4 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17, 2009. From Feb. 17, 2009, to May 28, 2010, weekly SBA loan dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 programs, compared to the weekly average before passage.

* More Lenders Making Loans: From Feb. 17, 2009, to May 28, 2010, more than 1,321 lenders who had not made a loan since at least 2007, made at least one 7[a] loan.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [21 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses.

* Secondary Markets Uptick With 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up and premiums are beginning to recover. From June to May, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $330 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* America's Recovery Capital [ARC] Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of May 28, SBA has approved 7,658 ARC loans totaling more than $248 million by 1,250 lenders, to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding -- plus an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March, and April for the agency’s lending programs -- including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7[a] loans from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies [SBICs]; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:

* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed throughout the nation, go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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New Jersey, Texas Firms Take Top Prize as National Contractors of the Year; Small Businesses, Business Leaders and Government Officials Honored

A small-business contractor from New Jersey and another from Texas were named the National Prime Contractor of the Year and National Subcontractor of the Year, respectively, during a breakfast ceremony held this morning by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The event, sponsored by Raytheon, was part of National Small Business Week 2010, held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The Small Business Prime Contractor and Small Business Subcontractor of theYear awards honor small businesses that have provided the government and private sector with outstanding goods and services, either as prime contractors or as subcontractors.

This year’s winners are:

* Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year: Anne C. O’Brien, president of Kalimex Inc., of Ocean View, N.J. This woman-owned, 8[a]-certified, small disadvantaged construction company boasts 14 years of successful project experience, plus more than $18 million in annual sales revenues. In one of those projects, Kalimex reopened the stairs to the crown in the Statue of Liberty for the first time since 9/11, ensuring visitors’ safe ascent up the famous double-helix stairway to the observation level in the statue’s crown. The National Park Service described Kalimex’s work on the Statue of Liberty as "sleek, elegant and magnificent." Another notable project for Kalimex Inc. includes exterior building renovation and masonry repairs on the Edgar Allan Poe House, located in Philadelphia, Penn., for the National Park Service; and

* Small Business Subcontractor of the Year: W.T. Gardner, founder and CEO of Savage Precision Fabrication Inc., of Wylie, Tex. Gardner founded Savage, a veteran-owned and Native American-owned firm, with $2,000 worth of tools. The company manufactures precision machine and sheet metal fabrication components -- including mechanical assemblies made of aluminum, titanium, copper, stainless steel and plastics -- to meet design specifications, and support the aerospace, military, defense and high-tech industries. It develops in-house processes -- such as heat treating, aging, Tungsten Inert Gas [TIG] and Metal Inert Gas [MIG] -- that are usually outsourced by a small business. The company has 38 employees, $4.4 million in annual sales in 2008, and is a preferred manufacturer in the aerospace and defense industry.

"Today, we celebrate the contributions of the outstanding business leaders, government officials and small businesses whose inspiring work in the federal contracting arena are creating jobs and helping lead economic recovery," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills [pictured].

"Contracting with small businesses is a win-win for both the government and small businesses," Mills noted. "The government gets access to the most innovative companies, and small businesses get the oxygen they need to grow and take their businesses to the next level.

"That’s why it’s so important that more than $7 billion in federal contracts have already been awarded to small businesses under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."

Small-business owners, corporate leaders, government officials and volunteers from across the country are in Washington, D.C., for the three-day conference, to be honored during five major award events for their achievements as America’s top entrepreneurs. The contracting awards recognize businesses and organizations for their commitment to providing contracting and subcontracting opportunities to small, women-owned and small disadvantaged businesses.

Other federal contracting awards included:

Frances Perkins Vanguard Award: Honoring government and industry for excellence in the use of women-owned small businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors.

The recipients are:

* Jim Cuff, senior vice president, Science Applications International Corporation [SAIC], of McLean, Va. [Industry Buying Activity];

* Kevin Boshears, director, Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Homeland Security, of Washington, D.C. [Federal Buying Activity]; and

* Bennie Boren, acquisition supervisor/small-business specialist, Public Works Department Gulfport, NAVFAC Southeast, of Gulfport, Miss. [Federal Procurement Official].

Gold Star Award: Recognizing the exemplary performance of federal agencies and their dedicated personnel who carry out the aggressive goals and strategic initiatives that help ensure a role for small business in the federal marketplace.

The recipient is:

* Judith P. Croxton, director of business operations, Shaw Air Force Base-20th Contracting Squadron, of Shaw AFB, S.C.

Surety Bond Award: Honoring the 16 participating surety companies and bond producers for the support they provide to small businesses who need help securing bid, payment and performance bonds.

Two prominent national surety trade associations accepted the awards on their behalf. They are:

* Ms. Lynn Schubert, president, The Surety & Fidelity Association of America; and

* Mr. Mark H. McCallum, CEO, the National Association of Surety Bond Producers.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence: Recognizing large prime contractors that have excelled in their use of small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors.

The recipients are:

* Richard A. Heltzel, president, Healy Tibbitts Builders Inc., of Aiea, Hawaii [Construction Category];

* Amber Janey, small business liaison officer, Rockwell Collins, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa [Manufacturing Category]; and

* Keith Joy, director of small business programs, UT-Battelle LLC/Oak Ridge National Laboratory [ORNL], of Oak Ridge, Tenn. [Research & Development Category].

The 2010 Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence-Research & Development is one of SBA's top honors. Administrator Mills praised the Department of Energy's ORNL's "hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to [its] community" while presenting the award to Keith Joy, director of small business programs at ORNL.

Joy tasked his office with "aggressive goals" to meet the requirements of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award. In 2010, he and his staff encouraged strong performance via an internal awards program, meetings between contractors and small businesses, and extensive outreach programs to maximize the impact of ORNL's small business programs. Joy noted that he was "very proud, humbled, and appreciative" to receive this honor on behalf of his team at ORNL.

"The President recognizes that small businesses are the building blocks of our economy," said Bill Valdez, acting director of the Department of Energy's Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. "Our office's mission is to support the innovation and growth of small businesses, and we absolutely must continue to honor their hard work."

Small Business Week featured a series of forums on innovation, exporting and social media, designed to help entrepreneurs with current, real-world issues that impact their businesses. There was also a town hall forum to discuss small-business concerns.

For additional details on Small Business Week 2010 -- including a full schedule of events and information on all award winners -- visit http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/.

Small Business Week 2010 sponsors and co-sponsors include: Sam’s Club, Visa, Ford, ADP, Raytheon, Cbeyond, UPS, Intuit, Google, eBay, AT&T, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, D&B, Verio, ASBDC, NADCO, NAGGL, NASE, NSBA, WIPP and SCORE.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA Supports More Than $27.5 Billion in Small-Business Lending

The U.S. Small Business Administration received $730 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA] to help unlock the small-business lending market and get capital flowing again to America’s small businesses. Due to the success of these programs, the SBA has received an additional $305 million to continue some ARRA programs through May.

SBA Recovery Efforts -- Impact to Date
* SBA Has Supported More Than $27 Billion in Recovery Loans to Small Businesses: As of May 21, SBA has supported more than $27.5 billion in small-business lending, with the approval of $20.6 billion in Recovery loans since Feb. 17. From Feb. 17, 2009, to May 21, 2010, weekly SBA loan dollar volumes rose more than 90 percent in the 7[a] and 504 programs, compared to the weekly average, before passage.

* More Lenders Making Loans: From Feb. 17, 2009, to May 21, 2010, more than 1,309 lenders who had not made a loan since at least 2007 made a 7[a] loan.

* Broad Support to Businesses: A significant share of Recovery loans have gone to rural [24 percent], minority-owned [20 percent], women-owned [18 percent], and veteran-owned [8 percent] businesses

* Secondary Markets Uptick with 7[a] Loans: After months of reduced activity and lower premiums, the SBA 7[a] secondary market is picking up and premiums are beginning to recover. From June to April, the average monthly loan volume settled from lenders to broker-dealers in the 7[a] secondary market has been $336 million, providing lenders with additional liquidity to increase lending.

* ARC Loans Helping Small Businesses: As of May 21, SBA has approved 7,582 ARC loans totaling over $245.4 million by 1,249 lenders to help small businesses make it through this tough economy.

SBA Recovery Programs
To date, SBA has implemented programs for all of the $730 million in SBA Recovery Act funding and an additional $305 million provided in December, February, March, and April for the agency’s lending programs, including:

* Eliminating and reducing fees for borrowers on 7[a] loans, and for borrowers and lenders on 504 loans;

* Raising to 90 percent the guarantee on 7[a] loans from 75 or 85 percent, depending on the size of loan;

* Doubling the surety bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million, providing small businesses with another tool to help them compete for federal construction and service contracts;

* Assisting struggling small businesses with the new ARC loan program, which provides no-interest, deferred-repayment loans of up to $35,000 to viable businesses to help them make debt payments;

* Providing refinancing opportunities for certain eligible loans into SBA-backed 504 loans for expansion and job creation;

* Expanding access to investment capital for small businesses by increasing funding levels for SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies; and

* Taking steps to ensure the stability of the secondary market for SBA loans.

The SBA has also implemented two new programs that complement the ARRA measures and increase access to capital for small businesses by:

* Expanding 7[a] loan eligibility to more than 70,000 small businesses through a temporary alternate size standard; and

* Offering inventory financing for eligible auto, RV, boat and other dealerships under the new Dealer Floor Plan Financing pilot program.

To learn about how SBA and the Recovery Act are helping small businesses succeed, go to: http://bit.ly/SuccessStoriesSBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
____________________

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SBA Announces Changes to Small Business Procurement Scorecard Format

The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] just announced that it is revising the format of the annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard to provide more clarity and transparency on the federal government’s performance in meeting its small-business contracting goals. The revised scorecard will be based on an A through F letter grade system, as opposed to the previous red, yellow and green ratings.

"This revision to the Scorecard will provide greater clarity and transparency on how well each agency is doing in meeting its small-business prime contracting goals," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills [pictured]. "Federal contracts provide critical opportunities for small businesses to grow and create jobs. This revision builds on our ongoing efforts to strengthen the integrity of the overall process for small-business contracting, while also expanding opportunities for small businesses to compete for, and win, federal contracts.”

The revisions will appear when SBA issues its report later this year for federal contracting in fiscal year 2009. Over the past year, SBA has worked collaboratively with contracting and small-business officials to develop the new system. The revised methodology better reflects the unique needs of individual agencies, while maintaining a focus on achieving the statutory small-business contracting goals.

The overall small-business prime contracting goals have been established by Congress to ensure that small businesses get their fair share of federal contracts. The government-wide goal for prime contracts to small businesses is 23 percent of total qualified contract dollars -- with additional goals of five percent for small disadvantaged businesses [SDBs]; five percent for women-owned businesses [WOSBs]; three percent for HUBZone small businesses; and three percent for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses [SDVOSBs].

SBA negotiates individual goals for each agency, while ensuring that, when combined, they meet the overall statutory goals for the federal government. SBA’s small-business procurement goal, for example, is 67.05 percent. While Scorecards will measure subcontracting activity, that information is not factored into the determination of whether the federal government meets the statutory small-business prime contracting goals.

The new Scorecard holistically assesses an agency’s entire small-business procurement performance. An agency’s overall grade will be comprised of three quantitative measures: prime contracts [80 percent], subcontracts [10 percent], and its progress plan for meeting goals [10 percent].

The letter grades for prime contracting and subcontracting will show an A+ for agencies that meet or exceed 120 percent of their goals; an A for those between 100 percent and 119 percent; a B for 90 to 99 percent; a C for 80 to 89 percent; a D for 70 to 79 percent; and an F for less than 70 percent.

In last year’s Scorecard rating performance for the FY 2008 contracting year, small businesses won 21.5 percent of contract dollars, or about $93.3 billion out of a small-business-eligible base of about $434 billion. More than half of all agencies met their individual goals. The small-business-eligible base for FY2009 was about $437 billion.

An example of the new Scorecard format can be accessed at http://bit.ly/NewProcurementScorecard.

About SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small-business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

SBA recognizes that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength -- to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace.

GoodBiz113's Take
Kudos to Administrator Mills and her team for overhauling SBA's Small Business Procurement Scorecard. From all appearances, the new system delivers more meaningful, at-a-glance information, and is infinitely superior to that used by the Bush administration -- which, despite its lip service to small businesses, was far more intent on awarding multibillion-dollar bundled contracts to its corporate buddies [e.g., Halliburton] than in helping small-business owners and entrepreneurs grow the U.S. economy.

Indeed, we've come a long way since Jan. 20, 2009. And things just keep getting better...

SOURCES: Acquisition Central, U.S. Small Business Administration
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