Monday, September 28, 2009

SBA Resource Day – October 8th @ the Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield

Release Date: September 28, 2009
Contact: Melende Ward (559) 487-5791, ext 143
Release Number: 09-12 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

SBA Resource Day – Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield

The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on October 8, 2009 at the Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.

During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.

SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.

Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.

Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on October 8, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit http://www.sba.gov/ or call (559) 487-5791.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at http://www.sba.gov/.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Small Business Tax Resources from the IRS

1. What kind of records should you keep?
Business transactions often require various documents to support the entries in your books and on your tax return.
IRS.gov has information on the types of records you should keep as supporting documents.

2. Retirement and savings initiatives
New guidance makes saving and choosing a retirement plan easier.
The IRS Retirement Plans Navigator also offers an easy retirement plan guide for small employers.
Related links:
Summer edition of Retirement News for Employers
Special edition of Employee Plans News

3. Small business tax workshops
Local workshops, sponsored and presented by IRS partners who are federal tax specialists, offer everything from a general overview of taxes to information on specific topics.
IRS.gov has more information and a state-by-state list of workshops.

4. SBTV.com’s weekly tax news for small businesses
Today, SBTV.com has information for small businesses that outsource payroll duties. Next Wednesday, learn about the tax implications of employing family members.

5. Recent IRS announcements
IR-2009-79, Deadlines Near for Business to Choose Expanded NOL Election; Sept. 15 for Many Corporations, Oct. 15 for Individuals
Special Edition Tax Tip 2009-07, Five Facts about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit
IR-2009-78, Special IRS Web Section Highlights Back-to-School Tax Breaks; Popular 529 Plans Expanded, New $2,500 College Credit Available

Successful Small Business Export Strategies: Eight-City “Exports Live!” Seminar Series

OVERVIEW

WHAT: Six federal agencies have created a series of interactive seminars designed to educate small businesses about export opportunities and how they can be used to grow their businesses, grow the economy, and create jobs. At each event, attendees will learn about the government products and services that are available to help them succeed in the global marketplace.
(See ‘Agenda’ for sample program outline)

WHEN/WHERE: Each half-day seminar will begin at 8:30 AM and will conclude at 1:30 PM.
Optional one-on-one sessions for attendees will be available between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
  • New York, NY Monday, Oct. 5
  • Boston, MA Tuesday, Oct. 6
  • Miami, FL Monday, Oct. 26
  • Houston, TX Tuesday, Oct. 27
  • Detroit, MI Monday, Nov. 9
  • Chicago, IL Tuesday, Nov. 10
  • Los Angeles, CA Monday, Nov. 16
  • Seattle, WA Tuesday, Nov. 17
AGENCIES: Participating government agencies and officials include:
  • Export-Import Bank of the U.S. - Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and President
  • U.S. Department of Commerce - Secretary Gary Locke
  • Small Business Administration - Karen Mills, SBA Administrator
  • U.S. Trade & Development Agency - Leocadia I. Zak, Acting Director
  • Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - Ambassador Ron Kirk
  • Overseas Private Investment Corporation - Dr. Lawrence Spinelli, Acting President
ATTENDEES: Approximately 150-200 businesses will attend each event at a cost of $99 per attendee. (Registration fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch)
Marketing efforts will target ‘export-ready’ small businesses that have either just begun to export or are looking to export in the future. A coordinated joint-marketing effort to reach these businesses is underway and will include all of the agencies listed above, federal/state/local government partners, third-party organizations, and paid advertising.

REGISTRATION: For more information or to register, please visit www.export.gov/exports_live or call toll-free 1-(888) 966-2009. (Space is limited)

MEDIA/PRESS: Events are ‘Open Press’. (Press inquiries please use registration contacts listed above)

Thursday, September 10, 2009

SBA Launches New Online Training Course: ‘How to Win Federal Contracts’

SBA Launches New Online Training Course:
‘How to Win Federal Contracts’
Online Course Part of Federal Government-wide Initiative

WASHINGTON ─ The U.S. Small Business Administration today launched a new online training course to help strengthen access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, disadvantaged individuals and veterans.

The training course, “Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts,” is part of a federal government-wide initiative announced last month by President Obama and being led by SBA and the Department of Commerce.

“Government contracts can play a key role in helping small businesses turn the corner in terms of expansion and job creation,” SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. “But make no mistake, the benefits the government receives are equally as impressive – working with small businesses allows the federal government to work with some of the most innovative companies in America, often with direct contact with the CEO.”

“The SBA online training course can help businesses access the federal purchasing system and position themselves to compete for the commercial opportunities offered by government contracting,” Mills continued.

In announcing the government-wide initiative, President Obama reiterated his Administration’s commitment to providing “our Nation’s small businesses with maximum practicable opportunity to participate in federal government contracting.” As part of the initiative, federal agency procurement officers are participating in more than 200 events over the next several weeks to help connect small businesses with contracting opportunities. Additionally, SBA and Commerce are expanding their outreach to contracting officials across the federal government to ensure they have the tools to meet their annual contracting goals and increase opportunities to small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women and minorities, as well as those in designated HUBZones.

As part of the outreach to small businesses, the comprehensive online course uses both audio and script to provide information about the federal marketplace, contract rules and, most importantly, how to sell to the government and where to find contract and Recovery Act opportunities. The new training portal is a free online training course designed to assist entrepreneurs during this period of economic recovery. This self-paced, instructional guide provides an overview of the federal procurement process.

The Recovery Act Opportunities course is available on SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. The course is indexed by subject matter to allow ease of use, and it includes multiple direct links to additional contracting resources.

The Recovery Act Opportunities course includes direct links that highlight the best contracting resources and engages small business owners in the contracting process. The course also includes practical and fundamental steps to engage business owners in the federal contracting arena.

It is one of more than 24 online tutorials offered by the SBA, and is available 24/7.

For more information please visit www.sba.gov.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Small Business Resource Day - 9/25 in Atascadero, CA

Small Business Resource Day

Join us to learn about small business resources & SBA Guaranteed Loans!

Friday, September 25, 2009
Lake Pavilion
9315 Pismo Avenue – Atascadero

FEATURED SPEAKERS
  • Atascadero Economic Development Office
  • Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
  • UC Merced Small Business Development Center
  • U. S. Small Business Administration
Ron Truly, Deputy District Director, SBA Fresno Office, will be available to answer questions regarding all SBA Loan Programs.

Plus Stimulus Package Opportunities:
  • City of Atascadero Opportunities
  • The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Loan Programs
Join the Chamber of Commerce, City Officials, SBA, SBDC, local lenders, and other business owners for this informative session!

To register for this FREE event:Call 805.466.2044 or visit www.AtascaderoChamber.org

Individual Appointments Available with SBA and SBDC Consultants: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Call SBA:1.800.359.1833, option 6