Tuesday, July 7, 2009

EMAIL MARKETING WORKSHOPS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO JULY 16

FREE EMAIL MARKETING WORKSHOPS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO JULY 16

Presented by Constant Contact and the UC Merced SBDC

San Luis Obispo, CA, July 6, 2009 — — Constant Contact, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTCT), a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys for small organizations, will present two free Email Marketing workshops in San Luis Obispo on July 16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in partnership with the UC Merced SBDC (Small Business Development Center).

What:
10:00am – 12:00pm The Power of Email Marketing
This workshop will demonstrate how to design and execute email campaigns aimed at achieving better results and build lasting, positive reputations. Participants will learn best practices for building a quality list, increasing email open rates, encouraging readers to take action, and analyzing click-behavior to improve results. The program will showcase success stories and practical applications to teach email senders how to match their communications to customer preferences.

1:00pm - 3:00pm Getting Started with Constant Contact
More than 250,000 businesses use Constant Contact to help grow their repeat and referral business. This interactive workshop saves you time by allowing you to quickly and easily master the entire Constant Contact Email Marketing system. We’ll provide tips and techniques and guide you through the tools and features of the system. Learn how to set up account options, add signup boxes to your website and emails, load a list, build a campaign, and brand your email to match websites and logos.

Meet your SBDC live at this special event. Your SBDC empowers small business owners with the management, marketing, and financial skills needed to compete in today's challenging economy.

Where:
Embassy Suites Hotel
333 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Who:
Kelly Flint, Regional Development Director, Constant Contact
In partnership with the UC Merced SBDC (Small Business Development Center)

When:
July 16, 2009
10:00am – 12:00pm
(break for lunch on your own)
1:00pm -3:00pm.

How:
Reserve your seat now at www.losangeles.constantcontact.com

About Constant Contact, Inc. Launched in 1998, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing and online survey tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations, and nonprofits. To learn more, please visit www.constantcontact.com or call 781-472-8100.

About UC Merced SBDC
The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network assists Central California entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling, training and business information. The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network is a partnership between UC Merced and the U.S. Small Business Administration. To learn more, please visit sbdc.ucmerced.edu or call 559-241-7406

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

SBDC Workshop in Fresno - State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar

The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network and the California Employment Development Department Present:

State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar - Free
July 28, 2009
9:30am to 3:30pm

Recordkeeping, reporting and payment requirements, and employer obligations. Common wage and hour law application. Employer and employee rights and responsibilities. Basics of how to distinguish between employees and independent contractors.

Location:
550 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
In the UC Center, Fresno Building

Please register for this workshop @ http://www.edd.ca.gov/payroll_tax_seminars/

For more information about this workshop, contact: (866) 873-6083

For more info on SBDC workshops, check out our list of events at: http://ucmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp

SBDC Workshop in Clovis - Importing into the United States

Central California SBDC and the Center for International Trade Development Present:

Importing into the United States
August 18, 2009
1:00pm to 4:00pm

Are you familiar with the legal aspects of importing? Know when and how to use A custom house broker? Is U.S. Customs causing delays in your shipment? Can your product be imported quickly economically and legally? This workshop will help you learn the basic steps involved when importing products into the United States.

Location:
390 W. Fir Ave Bldg. B Ste 303, Clovis, CA 93611-0244

Cost: $40

Click here to sign-up for this workshop!

For more information about this workshop, contact: (559) 324-6401 or E-mail: info@exportcenter.net

For more info on SBDC workshops, check out our list of events at: http://ucmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp

SBA’s New Pilot Loan Program for Dealer Floor Plan Financing

Release Date: July 1, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-46
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

SBA’s New Pilot Loan Program for Dealer Floor Plan Financing Begins Today

WASHINGTON – Beginning today, auto, RV and other dealerships can apply for SBA-guaranteed floor plan financing, which will make it easier for these small businesses to borrow against their inventory and increase their cash flow.

The new pilot program is one of the many tools SBA is making available to help increase access to capital and technical assistance to small business, and complements other steps already taken under the Recovery Act to help small businesses at this critical time.

"In recent months, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in the availability of credit for financing dealership inventories," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "We want to be a partner for these small businesses and help ensure they have the resources they need to help keep their businesses open, save jobs and survive these tough economic times."

Floor plan financing is a revolving line of credit that allows a dealership to obtain financing through SBA’s 7(a) program for inventory that can be titled, such as autos, RVs, manufactured homes, boats and trailers. As each piece of collateral is sold by the dealer, the loan advance against that piece of collateral is repaid. As the loan is repaid, the dealer can borrow against the line of credit to add new inventory.

The DFP pilot program will run through Sept. 30, 2010, after which SBA will determine whether to extend it further. DFP loans can be made by any lender already participating in SBA loan programs. Lenders who are not already participating in SBA lending, can become an approved SBA lender if they are interested in offering DFP loans.

Since the DFP pilot program is a new initiative that provides a guarantee for a specialized product, the agency is working with and training lenders who may be interested in offering this type of financing. SBA expects there will be a ramp-up period for these lenders.

DFP loans will be available for a minimum of $500,000 up to the $2 million allowable under the 7(a) program. With a maximum repayment term of five years, the loans will come with a 60-75 percent government guarantee, depending on the type of collateral and the lenders advance rate against the wholesale price of the inventory. Borrowers will also benefit from the temporary elimination of fees on 7(a) loans made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Borrowers interested in obtaining a DFP loan should contact their lender or their nearest SBA field office to get a list of SBA-approved lenders in their area who may be participating in the program. Local district offices and contact information can be obtained at the SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html.


For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call
the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640, or visit the
SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov

Small Business Advocate - July Issue Released

U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Advocacy


--The Advocate--
Release Date: July 2009
Volume 28, number 6
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/advo/july_09.pdf

The Small Business Advocate is a periodic newsletter that details economic developments and regulatory trends related to small business as well as the latest initiatives of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the Acting Chief Counsel
When We All Work Together, Good Things Happen, 3

Regulatory News
Small Business Review Panel on Diacetyl Exposure, 4
Proposed Critical Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog, 4
Advocacy Officials Get High Tech Education, 8

Legislative News
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Update, 5
Advocacy Blog Features Capitol Hill Updates, 2

Economic News
Small Businesses Most Likely to Lead Economic Recovery, 1
An Interview with Charles Ou, Senior Economist, 6

If you are having difficulty viewing this document, the following Adobe viewer for PDF files is available for download - http://www.adobe.com/downloads/.

Adobe also offers a handicapped accessibility site for the visually disabled at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html.

For more information about the Office of Advocacy, please visit our website at http://www.sba.gov/advo/ or telephone 202-205-6532.

Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

To sign up for Advocacy updates via RSS feed, visit http://feeds.feedburner.com/sba/rAIO

Visit Advocacy's Regulatory Alerts page to learn about and comment on proposed federal rules that may affect small business: http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_regalerts.html.

In order to receive e-mail notices of Advocacy's news releases, monthly newsletter, small business research, statistics, and regulatory news visit http://web.sba.gov/list.

Friday, June 26, 2009

SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers $315 Million to 3,750 Vets, Military Community

-- News Release --

Release Date: June 26, 2009
Contact: Dennis Byrne (202) 205-6567
Release Number: 09-45
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers $315 Million to 3,750 Vets, Military Community

WASHINGTON – In just two year’s time, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative has supported more than $315 million in loans to more than 3,750 veterans and their spouses who are using the SBA-guaranteed funds to establish and expand their small businesses. As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which raised loan guarantees to 90 percent, and eliminated fees temporarily, the number of Patriot Express loans increased to record levels in April and May of 2009.

Patriot Express, launched June 28, 2007, builds on the more than $1 billion in loans SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses, and the counseling assistance and procurement support it provides each year to more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and Reserve members.

"This commitment to more than 25 million veterans across the country, and the thousands returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is something we at SBA take seriously," SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. "The Patriot Express initiative, in conjunction with other SBA programs, goes directly to the needs of our veterans who want to start, or already have their own businesses. This critical access to capital helps them grow their businesses and create good paying jobs in their communities."

Patriot Express is a streamlined loan product based on the agency’s highly successful SBA Express Program, but with an enhanced guaranty and interest rate. The Patriot Express loan is offered by SBA’s network of participating lenders nationwide and features one of SBA’s fastest turnaround times for loan approvals. Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 90 percent.

The Patriot Express loan can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real-estate purchases. Local SBA district offices will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in their areas. Details on the initiative can be found at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.

Interest rate maximums for Patriot Express loans are the same as those for regular 7(a) loans: a maximum of Prime + 2.25 percent for maturities under seven years; Prime + 2.75 percent for seven years or more. Interest rates can be higher by two percent for loans of $25,000 or less; and one percent for loans between $25,000 and $50,000.

Patriot Express is available to military community members including veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty service members participating in the military’s Transition Assistance Program, Reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of any of the above, and the widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service, or of a service-connected disability.

Patriot Express loans have been approved in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam and generally range from $5,000 to $375,000 in individual loan amounts. The average loan amount is almost $85,000. Nearly 15 percent of those loans have gone to military spouses. After loan applications are approved by the bank, they are submitted to SBA for approval. Most applications are approved by SBA within 24 hours.
SBA has veterans’ business development officers in district offices in every state and territory able to provide military community members full access to the SBA’s range of programs and services. There are also eight Veterans Business Outreach Centers located in: Albany, N.Y; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Lynn Haven, Fla.; Edinburg, Texas; Sacramento, Calif.; St. Louis, Mo.; Boston, Mass.; and Flint, Mich.

In addition to district offices, SBA’s resource partners SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, Small Business Development Centers, and Women’s Business Centers provide local and online assistance with: writing a business plan, financing options to start or grow your business, managing the business, expanding the business and selling goods and services to the government.

For those who are already small business owners and who expect call-up, the SBA and its resource partners have expertise to assist with preparing their businesses before deployment, managing their businesses, selling goods and services to the government, obtaining other SBA financing and financial assistance, and obtaining loans for economic injury – Military Reserve Economic Injury Disaster Loans (MREIDL) – Loans of up to $2 million are available for small businesses sustaining economic injury because an owner or essential employee has been called to active duty as a military reservist.

The SBA and its Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) provides comprehensive assistance, outreach and support to veterans. Each year the SBA assists more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and reservists. Go to www.sba.gov/vets.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Small Business can Apply for ARC Loans Beginning Today

Small Business can Apply for ARC Loans Beginning Today

WASHINGTON – Starting today, June 15, SBA will begin accepting loans for a temporary new program called America’s Recovery Capital. "ARC" loans of up to $35,000 are designed to provide a "bridge" for viable small businesses with immediate financial hardship – to keep their doors open until they get back on track.

"These ARC loans are another tool in the SBA toolkit which will provide critical support to small businesses struggling to make it through these tough economic times," said Administrator Karen G. Mills.

ARC loans are deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000, available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that need short-term help to make their principal and interest payments on existing and qualifying business debt. ARC loans are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA and have no SBA fees associated with them.

ARC loans will be disbursed over a period of up to six months and will provide funds to be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debt including mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities. SBA will pay the interest on ARC loans to the lenders at the variable rate of Prime plus two percent.

Repayment will not begin until 12 months after the final disbursement. After the 12-month deferral period, borrowers will pay back the loan principal over a period of five years.
ARC loans will be made by commercial lenders, not SBA directly. For more information on ARC loans, visit www.sba.gov

For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640, or visit the SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov.

Release Date: June 15, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-41
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news