SBA TOUTS MEETING 2013 SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL PROCUREMENT CONTRACTING GOAL

FROM:  U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

Obama Administration Achieves 2013 Small Business Federal Procurement Contracting Goal

First Time in Eight Years Goal is Met

 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that the federal government reached its small business federal contracting goal for the first time in eight years, awarding 23.39 percent in federal contracts to small businesses totaling $83.1 billion of eligible contracting dollars.  SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet made the announcement at a press conference held at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, D-Md.

“When we hit our small business procurement target, it’s a win.  Small businesses get the revenue they need to grow and create jobs, and the federal government gets the chance to work with some of the most responsive, innovative and nimble companies in the U.S. while the economy grows,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.  “Thanks to the President’s leadership and a team effort among all federal agencies, we were able to meet this goal.”

Performance in four out of five of the small business prime contracting categories showed significant improvement, with increases in performance against statutory goals. While contract dollars have gone down in all categories as a result of overall reduced federal spending, small businesses still secured a greater percentage of the contracting dollars.  The SBA has worked with federal agencies to expand opportunities for small businesses to compete for and win federal contracts.

Alongside the announcement, the SBA released the FY 2013 Small Business Procurement Scorecard, which provides an assessment of each federal agency’s yearly small business contracting achievement against its goal with 20 agencies receiving an A or A+.  Overall, the federal government received an “A” on the government-wide Scorecard.

SCORE ANNIVERSARY RECOGNIZED DURING NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

FROM:  U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

SBA Recognizes SCORE 50th Anniversary During

National Small Business Week

WASHINGTON – During National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to recognize SCORE for its 50th anniversary in providing volunteer counseling and mentoring to our nation’s entrepreneurs.

SCORE, SBA’s valued resource partner, has served more than 10 million entrepreneurs since 1964, providing mentoring, counseling and coaching sessions for entrepreneurs and small business owners in its 50 year history.  SCORE has a network of 320 chapter locations and 11,000 volunteer mentors dispersed throughout the country.

“Congratulations to SCORE for 50 years of success and service to our nation’s small business community,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.  “Thanks to SCORE, the small business community is able to reach so many entrepreneurs and small business owners to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.  Working together, SCORE, our other resource partners, and SBA are able to reach so many small businesses and help foster an environment where the spirit of entrepreneurship thrives.”

SCORE volunteers are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners, and their services are offered at no cost.  The celebration of SCORE’s 50th anniversary will continue throughout 2014, with a special focus on the 6th Annual SCORE Awards on August 14, 2014 in Washington, DC.

SCORE CEO Ken Yancey reflected on the organization’s 50th anniversary, saying “This milestone is about so much more than half a century of existence; it is about the work of hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have donated their time, energy and knowledge and about the more than 10 million small business owners who used those resources to enhance the American economy and their local communities. We are honored to be a part of these stories and these accomplishments and look forward to serving 10 million more.”

Since its inception, SCORE’s services have evolved in their methods for aiding entrepreneurs to include email mentoring and an extensive offering of online resources and educational workshops.  SCORE mentors share their experience and expertise with aspiring and current entrepreneurs in every stage of the business life cycle, from formation to planning for sale or exit.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

FROM:  U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

SBA Announces National Small Business Week Week-long, cross-country events to feature entrepreneurship forums on business  start-up and growth; Naming of National Small Business Person of the Year; Event registration now open

WASHINGTON – Aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners and others are invited to attend the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events held May 12-16, 2014.

Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week.  This year, events will take place across the country to engage the small business community and highlight their importance as innovators and job creators who strengthen the nation’s economy.

Activities will include forums and panels discussing trends in small business, business innovation, financing, growth, matchmaking events, as well as networking opportunities and award ceremonies. National Small Business Week will culminate in Washington, D.C., where the 2014 National Small Business Person of the Year will be named.  Candidates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico will be competing for the award.  Small business owners and their employees who attend will interact with federal government officials, local elected leaders, representatives from national businesses and other small business experts.

The cities and dates for National Small Business Week are as follows:

•             San Francisco – May 12

•             Kansas City – May 13

•             Boston and Washington, D.C. – May 15

•             Washington, D.C. – May 16

Throughout the week there will also be webinars and other live events.

SBA SIGNS ALLIANCE WITH NONPROFIT SOCIAL INVESTMENT BANK

FROM:  U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 
SBA Signs Strategic Alliance with Operation HOPE to Foster Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
      

WASHINGTON ─ The U.S. Small Business Administration and Operation HOPE, Inc., signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) to encourage entrepreneurship and economic empowerment through increased collaboration on entrepreneurial and financial education for small business owners.


The alliance signing took place at Operation HOPE’s HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit November 13, 2013, in Atlanta, Ga. with John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE’s founder and CEO, Tameka Montgomery, SBA Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development, and SBA Region Four Administrator Cassius Butts.


“The SBA is pleased to work with Operation HOPE, Inc. to drive economic development through business ownership,” said SBA Associate Administrator Montgomery.  “We believe our efforts will help foster entrepreneurial empowerment to communities across the nation.  The benefit for Americans is clear—by encouraging entrepreneurism, we’ll be helping people through their hard work and ideas gain a firm economic footing and achieve the American Dream.”



The SAM is designed to spur economic development through small business growth, and to improve entrepreneurial education that advances greater access to capital, expanded technical assistance and access to procurement programs.



Operation HOPE, Inc. is America’s first nonprofit social investment bank and a national provider of financial literacy and economic empowerment programs. Through ongoing collaborations and long-term partnerships with leading government, private sector, and community interests, Operation HOPE works to bring self-sufficiency and a sustained spirit of revitalization to America’s inner-city communities.



At the core of Operation HOPE’s mission is to empower communities through financial capability and dignity for all through its movement of “Silver Rights” or the right to financial literacy, making free enterprise work for everyone.


SBA, its resource partners and Operation Hope will collaborate to provide small business counseling and training, and work together to make resources available to benefit entrepreneurs across the country.

WEST, TEXAS FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE TOPS $5 MILLION

FROM: U.S. FEDEERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
AUSTIN, Texas. – In just over a month since the emergency disaster declaration for the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have approved more than $5.6 million in disaster assistance or low-interest loans for survivors.

This total includes more than $694,000 in Housing and Other Needs Assistance and Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) from the state of Texas and FEMA. The SBA has approved more than $4.91 million in low-interest disaster assistance loans for 59 disaster-impacted residents and businesses. SBA federal disaster loans help pay for residential and business property losses as well as disaster working capital needs for eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

"We are all working together to get the disaster assistance where it needs to be — in the hands of survivors," said the Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. "Survivors are taking advantage of low-interest disaster loans. We will continue to coordinate with and support our federal, state and local partners as the residents of West work to rebuild and recover."

To date, 742 individuals and families have registered for assistance. More than 900 residents have taken advantage of services provided by the Disaster Recovery Center in West and TSA has provided funding for 359 nights at hotels in West and nearby communities to provide eligible residents with a safe place to stay.

FEMA RELEASES NUMBERS OF SANDY DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO NEW JERSEY

 

April 30, 2013 -- Keyport, N.J., April 30, 2013- A construction worker oversees the demolition of a Keyport marina restaurant devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Rosanna Arias/FEMA

FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 
New Jersey Recovers From Superstorm Sandy: By The Numbers
Release date:
May 6, 2013
Release Number:
4086-154

TRENTON, N.J. -- Disaster assistance to New Jersey survivors of Superstorm Sandy by the numbers as of May 6:
$393.6 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
$339.3million for housing assistance
$54.3 million for other needs $755.8 million in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
$307.3 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
$3.4 billion in total National Flood Insurance Program payments made on claims to date
261,442 people contacted FEMA for help or information
182,226 housing inspections completed
123,416 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers made

FEMA,SBA HAVE APPROVED $7 BILLION IN DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE SANDY

Credit:  FEMA

FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION

New York: By the Numbers
Release date:
May 6, 2013
Release Number:
NR-217

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved $7 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Individual Assistance
More than $3.4 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
More than $967 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
More than $828 million for housing assistance
More than $139 million for other needs More than $1.4 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
Public Assistance
More than $1.19 billion in Public Assistance grants to reimburse local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits for some of the costs of:
emergency response;
debris removal; and
repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities 5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed
Other assistance
271,743 people have registered for assistance in the 13 designated counties
184,073 housing inspections completed
183,145 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
26 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

RESOURSE PARTNERS RECEIVE $19 MILLION FROM SBA FOR HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY

Hurricane Sandy Cleanup.  Credit:  FEMA

FROM: U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
$19 Million in Grants to be Made to SBA Resource Partners to Support Hurricane Sandy Small Business Recovery

WASHINGTON— Small businesses rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will get both immediate and long-term help laying a foundation for economic recovery and resiliency thanks to expanded services funded by a $19 million emergency appropriation.

Small businesses can take advantage of free expanded counseling, training and technical assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s resource partners—the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs).

"This is yet another example of placing proven, effective tools in the hands of America’s small business owners who are recovering from Hurricane Sandy," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "SBA’s extensive resource partner network continues to play a critical role in fostering economic development in those hard-hit areas, and I’m pleased those resources will be made accessible on a broader scale to help those who need it most."

Funding was made available as part of a package approved by Congress in January to meet the demand for SBA assistance. Through these funds, SCORE, SBDCs and WBCs can help provide long-term small business rebuilding strategies, as well as help small businesses through the SBA lending process.

In the first phase of counseling and technical assistance funding, $5.8 million is being distributed to SBA resource partners in 11 states--Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia--and Puerto Rico.

The SBDC and WBC funding awards are as follows:

Connecticut $527,000 Delaware $118,000

Massachusetts $76,000 Maryland $36,000

North Carolina $18,000 New Jersey $1,385,000

New York $2,394,000 Pennsylvania $410,000

Rhode Island $71,000 Virginia $7,000

West Virginia $46,000 Puerto Rico $19,000

SCORE will receive $704,000 to fund its chapters in the affected areas. During the second phase of funding, $13.1 million will be issued through these resource partners to provide long-term small business recovery and expansion, with a focus on building creative community-based partnerships.

SBA makes low-interest, taxpayer-backed disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes.
As of April 11, the SBA has approved disaster loans totaling $1.8 billion to individuals, and $279 million to businesses and non-profit organizations recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

SBA’s resource partners provide counseling assistance to disaster survivors, including business advice for affected businesses and assistance in applying for an SBA disaster loan. In addition, they staff recovery centers and provide guidance to help with businesses recovery and disaster preparedness.

FEMA OUTLINES SUPPORT FOR NEW YORK'S HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

 

Breezy Point, N.Y., March 22, 2013 -- Residents of this Queens neighborhood are rebuilding their homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy. This house is in the process of being elevated above the new flood level to prevent damage from future storm surges and flooding.  Photo Credit:  FEMA.

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
New York recovery from Hurricane Sandy: By the Numbers
March 29, 2013

NEW YORK — New York survivors have until April 13 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and return their applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy:
More than $941 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
Nearly $809 million for housing assistance
More than $132 million for other needs More than $1.3 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
Nearly $3.2 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
More than $806 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
270,634 people have registered for assistance in the 13 designated counties
182,426 housing inspections completed
175,215 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed
More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
26 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

FEMA SAYS $1.5 BILLION PROVIDED FOR NEW YORK HURRICANE SURVIVORS

Breezy Point, N.Y., Jan. 16, 2013 -- FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Fort Tilden Park in Breezy Point, NY is still open to assist Hurricane Sandy survivors. Several FEMA partners are stationed here to provide one-stop assistance to residents affected by the storm, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), Housing & Urban Development (HUD), NY State Department of Motor Vehicles and the US Post Office. Andre R. Aragon-FEMA
 

FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Nearly $1.5 Billion Provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy Survivors
January 18, 2013

NEW YORK — Federal disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy totals almost $1.5 billion.

FEMA continues to reach out to all 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Assistance to residents in affected counties includes:
Bronx $2.3 million
Kings $188 million
Nassau $277 million
New York $12.8 million
Queens $218 million
Richmond $87.9 million
Suffolk $63.9 million
FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved almost $1.5 billion for Hurricane Sandy survivors. FEMA has approved more than $855 million for individuals and households, including nearly $753 million for housing assistance and more than $102 million in assistance for other needs.
SBA has approved more than $590 million in disaster loans to homeowners and renters and nearly $40 million in disaster loans to businesses. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 17 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
20

Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites. To date, nearly 133,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York. 59 inspectors are currently in the field. To date, 172,727 home inspections have been completed, making a 99.4 percent completion rate.
13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only.
More than $1.4 billion has been paid to National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in New York for losses resulting from Sandy. The National Flood Insurance Program, administered by FEMA, offers flood insurance to all homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.
Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has provided more than $413 million in Public Assistance grants in New York State. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

SBA AND FDIC OFFER EDUCATION AND MENTORING SUPPORT FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURS

FROM:  SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

FDIC and SBA Team Up to Offer Financial Education and Mentoring Support to New and Aspiring Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. Small Business Administration today announced new resources to support small businesses across the nation.  Acting Chairman Gruenberg and SBAs Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development Michael Chodos released Money Smart for Small Business, a training curriculum for new and aspiring business owners.

Developed in partnership between both agencies, this curriculum is the latest offering in the FDIC’s award-winning Money Smart program.

 Money Smart for Small Business provides an introduction to day-to-day business organization and planning and is written for entrepreneurs with limited or no prior formal business training.  It offers practical information that can be applied immediately, while also preparing participants for more advanced training.  FDIC and SBA will form a Training Alliance for organizations that support small businesses through training, technical assistance or mentoring. 

 Money Smart for Small Business provides an introduction to day-to-day business organization and planning and is written for entrepreneurs with limited or no prior formal business training.  It offers practical information that can be applied immediately, while also preparing participants for more advanced training.  FDIC and SBA will form a Training Alliance for organizations that support small businesses through training, technical assistance or mentoring. 

 “We are excited to join the FDIC in its expansion of the Money Smart curriculum for small business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “The FDIC is a vital ally in our efforts to help small business owners start, grow and create jobs.  Money Smart for Small Business will help to put more information on the business basics of financial management at entrepreneurs’ fingertips and make it easier for them to build their knowledge and skill set.”

 “We are excited to join the FDIC in its expansion of the Money Smart curriculum for small business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “The FDIC is a vital ally in our efforts to help small business owners start, grow and create jobs.  Money Smart for Small Business will help to put more information on the business basics of financial management at entrepreneurs’ fingertips and make it easier for them to build their knowledge and skill set.”

 Gruenberg and Chodos were joined by Training Alliance partners at the launch of Money Smart for Small Business, hosted by the District of Columbia’s Affinity Lab, a small business incubator. “We are proud to launch Money Smart for Small Business,” said Gruenberg.  “We value our partnerships – with SBA and the Money Smart Alliance members – and recognize their importance to our work.  Small businesses play a vital role in supporting a vibrant economy.”

 Gruenberg and Chodos were joined by Training Alliance partners at the launch of Money Smart for Small Business, hosted by the District of Columbia’s Affinity Lab, a small business incubator. “We are proud to launch Money Smart for Small Business,” said Gruenberg.  “We value our partnerships – with SBA and the Money Smart Alliance members – and recognize their importance to our work.  Small businesses play a vital role in supporting a vibrant economy.”

Each of the 10 instructor-led modules in Money Smart for Small Business provides financial and business management for business owners and includes a scripted instructor guide, participant guide and overhead slides.  The FDIC will host an online “town hall” for potential Training Alliance partners in the months ahead.