Important Survey to Determine Entrepreneurial Resources in Lenawee, Hillsdale and Jackson Counties

Please complete this survey by DECEMBER 17, 2010.

To help create and sustain a vibrant, "entrepreneur-friendly" environment in the tri-county region of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties - we need to hear from you. Please take a few minutes (no more than 10!) to complete the following survey. We will use the collected information to target specific resources into our area that are designed to meet your needs and desires. Thank you for your time!

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This survey is part of a grant awarded to South Central Michigan Works for the Regional Entrepreneurial Collaborative with the goal assisting anyone in the tri-County area who has a business idea, a start-up company or currently operates a small business.

How to Become a Government Contractor Seminar- December 1st, 2010

Did you know that the federal government purchases more than $518 billion of goods and services a year and the State of Michigan has a diverse portfolio valued at more than $19 billion? Find out what it takes to sell your goods and services to the federal government and the State of Michigan December 1st at Washtenaw Community College. In addition learn about the services and continuous support the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has available to help your company with the contracting process.

State of Michigan Contracting

• What products and Services does the State of Michigan buy?
• Vendor Registration
• Obtaining Bidding Information
• Planning and Researching for State Procurement Opportunities
• Marketing Your Product or Service
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Federal Government Contracting

• Classifying your Product or Service (NAICS, SIC Codes< PSC/FSCs) • Getting registered: CCR and Dynamic Small Business Search • Small Business Programs: Set-asides, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), Veteran Owned, etc. • Finding Opportunities • Types of Solicitations • Marketing Strategies: Finding Opportunities, Subcontracting • Laws and Regulations • The Bid Process • Debriefing There is a $40.00 fee per person to attend this event. Please preregister through the link provided or by calling 734.462.4438 as space is limited.

Washtenaw Community College is a smoke-free campus; please refrain from use of all tobacco products while on college grounds. Thank you for your compliance.

SBA Growth Capital Program

At a time when capital was scarce for small business, financing from the U.S. Small Business Administration's growth capital program increased 23 percent in fiscal year 2010, providing a record $1.59 billion to help small businesses grow and create jobs, according to SBA Administrator Karen Mills.

The fiscal year 2010 volume is the highest single-year volume in the 50-year history of SBA's Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) debenture program. Increase volume in the program is in part a result of changes made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Those changes contributed to an increased number of new SBIC licenses, decreased license processing times, and initial capital to new funds rose dramatically.

"At a time when access to capital was tight, including traditional sources for growth capital, SBA helped fill some of that gap with a record amount of financing through our SBIC program," Mills said. "Across the country, there are small business owners and entrepreneurs who are well-positioned to take that next step, grow their business and create good paying jobs. Our efforts to strengthen our program efficiency and increase funding available through the SBIC program has provided another critical tool to help these small businesses get the capital they need and drive economic growth."

The SBIC program was created to stimulate the growth of America's small businesses by supplementing the long-term debt and private-equity capital available to them. SBA's SBIC fiscal year 2010 results included the following:

• Record High Financing to Small Businesses: Total financings to the SBA SBIC debenture program grew to a 50-year record high of $1.59 billion in fiscal year 2010 - a 23 percent increase over an average $1.29 billion in the four previous years. Debenture program obligations grew to $1.17 billion from an average $750.6 million, another 50-year record high.
• More Licensed SBICs and Faster Processing Times: Twenty-one (21) new SBIC licensees were issued in fiscal year 2010, a 130 percent increase over the four-year average of 10 per year. Additionally, SBIC license processing time improved to just 5.8 months in fiscal year 2010, a nearly 60 percent decrease from an average of 14.6 months in 2009.
• Record High Capital Commitment to Support Small Businesses: SBA capital commitments to new funds broke yet another 50-year record increasing to $1.23 billion in fiscal year 2010, a 135 percent jump from an average of $524.3 million in the four previous years. Equally important, the programs attracted record levels of private capital commitments, increasing to $615 million in 2010 from $262.1 million in previous years- another 135 percent increase. Combined total initial capital to new funds increased to $1.845 billion in FY 2010 from an average $786.4 million.

SBICs are privately-owned and managed investment firms that are licensed and regulated by SBA. SBICs use a combination of funds raised from private sources and money raised through the use of SBA guarantees to make equity and mezzanine capital investments in small businesses. There are more than 300 SBICs with more than $16 billion in capital under management.

Since the SBIC program's formation in 1958 through April 2009, it has invested approximately $56 billion in more than 100,000 small businesses in the United States. For more information about the SBA's investment Division and SBIC program, go to http://www.sba.gov/INV or call 1-800- U ASK SBA

5 Keys to Successful Financial Management

Program Details
● Identifying problems using your balance sheet and income statement
● Providing ways to increase your company's cash flow
● Using breakeven analysis to improve decision-making
● Planning the working capital to support your growth
● Keeping the banker on your side

Who Should Attend?

CEOs of businesses with at least three years of financial history who want to have a better understanding of how to use their financial statements to make better business decisions.

Client Quotes

"I recommend the Fiscal Fitness for business owners who believe that they don't have the time to go to a class. The class is an important part of the paradigm shift in the minds of small business owners. It was easy to understand and is a great way to produce productivity in an already existing company by just changing some of the fundamental ways in which you do business." - Rina N. Risper, The New Citizens Press

"Last week I attended a seminar called Fiscal Fitness for the Growing Business that was held by our local SBTDC. In a word...Wow! I have been to numerous seminars that tell you what you should do to improve your business but very rarely have I attended one that actually gave you the tools and told you how to go about it. This seminar is a must for all small business owners." Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, SPACE, Inc.

When & Time: October 21, 2010, 8:00am to Noon
Where: Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 East Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI
Fee and Registration:$75.00 - Includes workbook and continental breakfast.
$25.00 - Scholarships are available through Fifth Third Bank, Contact Shannon Beeman, 734.547.9170

Registration is required
Online:http://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=120300023

Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Statement from Administrator Mills on House Passage of Small Business Jobs Bill

WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Karen Mills today issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act by the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Today’s vote by the House to send the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act to the President for his signature is a key step forward in making sure small businesses have the resources they need to do what they do best – create jobs and drive economic growth. This bill includes billions in tax cuts specifically targeted to small businesses so they can put more of their own resources into growing their business. At the same time, this bill ensures those very businesses have access to the capital they need by extending SBA’s successful Recovery loan enhancements and putting local, community banks in a position to be a real partner for small businesses and entrepreneurs. This bill is the right step forward for our nation’s small businesses and our economy."

For more information on the SBA and how they can assist your small business please visit: http://www.sba.gov/

August FastTrac Orientation

The Fast Trac® Orientation is required to register for the Fast Trac® Courses in Lenawee, and Jackson Counties. This half day session will orient you to the Fast Trac® program and what commitment will be required of you as the entrepreneur. At this session you will spend time with an advisor who will help you select, and enroll in the Fast Trac® entrepreneurial program best suited for you and your business.

There's no substitute for experience. Nothing proves better than Fast Trac® a program facilitated by entrepreneurs who are not only knowledgeable but have a proven ability to connect with people. They create an environment that encourages you to interact with other entrepreneurs - gaining insight from their experiences and establishing relationships.

Date: August 27th from 9:00am to 12:00pm in Adrian & 2:00pm 4:00pm in Jackson

Location: LEDC and Jackson District Library
Speaker(s): MI-SBTDC Business Counselors
Co-Sponsor(s): LEDC & MEDC
Fee: Free (while the event is free please bring $50 to enroll in the FastTrac® program)

Experience and Expertise to Help You Grow:
There's no substitute for experience. Nothing proves better than Fast Trac® a program facilitated by entrepreneurs who are not only knowledgeable but have a proven ability to connect with people. They create an environment that encourages you to interact with other entrepreneurs - gaining insight from their experiences and establishing relationships.
Owning your own business is the American dream. Building it to withstand the test of time requires a unique set of tools. That's where Fast Trac® makes a difference by providing the opportunity to:

-Objectively evaluate your concept and plans for moving forward-Develop a working knowledge of business fundamentals-Begin building an infrastructure for your business operations and processes-Explore risk and success factors in the marketplace-Understand how to access human, financial and business resources-Network with entrepreneurs and professionals-Learn how to respond to changes that can impact your business Build an actionable business plan you can execute.

When you walk out the door, you will have a well-formulated plan for moving forward that is custom-made by you and one you believe in and can execute. The goals of the Fast Trac® program are for you to:

-Fully analyze your business concept by examining in depth:-Your role as an entrepreneur-How your product or service meets market needs-The financial feasibility of your venture
Producing a full and actionable Business Plan that includes:-Cash Flow-Effective Structure of your management team-Realistic marketing and sales plan-Planning your product or service fulfillment Seeking and getting investment in your business.

For more information on Fast Trac® training or any MI-SBTDC workshop please visit our Calendar of Training on our main website http://www.misbtdc.net/events.aspx or email our office, sbtdc@wccnet.edu.

Retail Success July 14th

The MI-SBTDC is holding an Inventory Management and Marketing Workshop in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce that will benefit all retail business owners.

When should you buy merchandise? What quantity? What is your pricing policy? In this seminar you will review how to calculate inventory turns, when to do markdowns, how to track sales and place buying according to category, and how to take advantage of buying discounts. Additional topics include inventory management and merchandising, sales and marketing, operations, seasonal environments, and holiday preparation. Retail Success is an advanced class for managers and owners of small to mid-size retail stores.

Ron Stevens, retail marketing expert and MI-SBTDC Senior Business Consultant, will be presenting. Ron has worked around the country with retail giants Marshalls and K-Mart. He brings extensive knowledge about retail marketing and merchandising.

WHEN: July 14, 2010 8:00am-10:00am EST

WHERE: Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce
115 W Huron St, # 3, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

COST: $25:00 per person

REGISTER: http://www.misbtdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=120300013

CONTACT: Shannon Beeman or Amy Dibble at 734.547.9170 for more information and to register!

New Michigan Farm Market & Ag Tourism Directory is now available

LANSING- Just in time for summer’s food and activity enjoyment, the 2010 Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism directory is now available.

"This statewide listing of farm markets, U-pick operations, cider mills and much more is the perfect pocket guide for those looking for farm fresh Michigan produce and specialty food products like jams, jellies, baked goods, ice cream, maple syrup and honey," said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). "The directory also helps locate family friendly activities down on the farm, such as hay rides, petting farms, fishing ponds, corn mazes, and riding stables."

The 2010 directory was created by the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri-Tourism Association (MI-FMAT) in partnership with Julian Vail, LLC and Farm Bureau Insurance. Copies of the directory are available free of charge at all Michigan Welcome Centers and at nearly 450 Farm Bureau Insurance agent offices across Michigan, as well as county Farm Bureau offices.

"Farm markets and agri-tourism are an important part of the agriculture industry in Michigan," said Jim Robinson, executive vice president of Farm Bureau Insurance. "As Michigan's Insurance Company, we are proud to support efforts that promote homegrown Michigan products. This directory is a guide to having fun on the farms and in the rural communities of our great state."

The directory has more farm market listings than last year's, features an alphabetical index, and has a regional tab design to help customers find the markets and products they are searching for. It also features 16 full-color pages and an availability chart showcasing when the various types of fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables produced are in season.

"The Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association is proud to provide this directory for our customers," said Steve Tennes, MI-FMAT board president and operator of The Country Mill in Charlotte. "Michigan farm marketers are gearing up for a terrific season, and look forward to welcoming visitors to their farms to share our high quality, locally grown food and agricultural products and unique on-farm experiences."

In addition to the printed directory, farm listings can be accessed via a searchable database on MI-FMAT's Web site at www.MichiganFarmFun.com. Links to the electronic directory are also accessible from MDA's agricultural tourism Web page at www.michigan.gov/agtourism, the Farm Bureau Insurance Web site at www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com, and the Michigan Farm Bureau Web site at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/.

For the Farm Bureau Insurance agent nearest you, visit http://www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/. For more information about MI-FMAT and its mission and services, visit http://www.michiganfarmfun.com/.