Posts Tagged ‘SBA’
Thursday, February 2nd, 2017
We are partnering again this year with the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire on the 12th annual Small Business Day, focusing on challenges and opportunities facing small businesses. We are also joined by the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local and regional chambers of commerce and business associations.
The cost to attend is $20 (including breakfast) and you do not have to be a member of the BIA to attend. This is a popular event; be sure to register early!
7:30 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
8 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
Governor Chris Sununu
Senate President Chuck Morse
8:15 a.m. Financing Options for Small Business
Learn about traditional and alternative (non-traditional) options for financing your small business from a panel of experts – Gary Barr, TD Bank; John Hamilton, Community Loan Fund; and Greta Johansson, U.S. Small Business Administration.
9:10 a.m. Small Business Boosters!
Accessing global markets, bidding on, and winning, government contracts, and putting the state’s Job Training Fund to work are ways to boost your small business’s competitiveness. These programs are offered for free through the NH Division of Economic Development. Presenters: Tina Kasim, Office of International Commerce; Dave Pease, NH Government Contracting Assistance Center; Michael Power, Office of Workforce Opportunity.
10:15 a.m. Affordable Care Act Under Attack: Implications for Small Business
Hear about how changes to the ACA may impact your business and employees. Presented by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and New Hampshire Medical Society.
11:10 a.m. Taxing Issues for Small Business
Whether it is “reasonable compensation,” apportionment, or taxes relating to the Affordable Care Act, there has never been a time more complex for the small business owner when it comes to taxes. We have assembled a panel of New Hampshire’s finest tax accountants and attorneys who will present on recent state and federal tax changes affecting the small business community and respond to your specific questions on taxes impacting your individual businesses. Presenters: Karl Heafield, Baker Newman Noyes; Kevin Kennedy, Maloney & Kennedy; John Rich, McLane Middleton; and Steve Lawlor, Nathan Wechsler
Register Now!
Tags: Business Boosters, New Hampshire Office of International Commerce, NH Government Contracting Assistance Center, NH Job Training, NH SBDC, SBA, Small Business Day
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Join Us for Small Business Day Feb. 10
Friday, February 26th, 2016
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Hampshire District Office has a great, free program coming up that’s geared toward established business owners like Michelle McManus, of Benchmark Office Systems in Londonderry. She is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Initiative, a seven month program (did we mention it’s free?) to help them continue on the path of sustainable growth. More information is available here, including the link to register and below is Michelle’s account of the program.
 Michelle McManus ~ Benchmark Office Systems 1. You’ve been a small business owner in Londonderry for 16 years. Could you tell us a little about it?
Absolutely, my husband and I started the business back in October 2000. We were working for a similar business in Denver, Colorado and decided to move east to start our own business and eventually start a family. We always had a business owner mentality (working all the time, forward thinking, what we could do to make the business run better, etc)
2. Even after 16 years, you continue to seek out programs that make you a better business owner, such as the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative. What drew you to this particular program?
One of my customers had been involved in the program and she said I needed to get involved. As a business owner, you sometimes feel like you are on an island, yet forget other business owners are in the same boat. This intrigued me to step back from the day to day operations and focus on how to get better.
3. What surprised you about the training … what was your ‘a-ha’ moment and the most valuable takeaway?
The most important take away is that I need to not do everything myself, boy that’s hard! I learned how to re-focus my energy on hiring people that can do better at certain tasks than I can do. I had to “fire” myself from doing all the hiring and involve other people in my business to help me make those valuable decisions.
4. The Emerging Leaders Initiative is a free program, but it does require a time commitment. Was it worth it and why?
Time away from business still costs money, but you get out of it what you put into it. If you focus your efforts, you will gain invaluable insight and renewed focus.
5. What would you say to someone considering enrolling in the upcoming program, which begins in April?
If you think you can do it all, you can’t, well you can, but not forever. To become successful, you need to try and duplicate yourself or parts of yourself to achieve greater success. Invest the time in yourself and your business.
Tags: 5 Questions, Emerging Leaders Initiative, Michelle McManus, SBA
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on 5 Questions with Michelle McManus, Benchmark Office Systems
Wednesday, May 13th, 2015
 From left: Seth Goodall, Small Business Administration New England regional administrator; Amanda Duquette, Dave Pease, Martha Keene, NH-PTAP; Jeffrey Rose, Department of Resources and Economic Development commissioner; Greta Johansson, SBA-NH district director The U.S. Small Business Administration and the New Hampshire Bankers Association honored David Pease, Martha Keene and Amanda Duquette of the New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Program with the 2015 New Hampshire Small Business Champion Award at their annual awards event on Tuesday.
NH PTAP helps hundreds of businesses each year navigate through the process of bidding on, and winning, contracts with local, state and federal government agencies. In New Hampshire, Pease, Duquette and Keene have earned a reputation for working tirelessly for their clients in areas such as researching federal regulations and databases and helping businesses develop strategies for marketing to government agencies and prime contractors.
Over the past five years, NH PTAP has assisted 1,391 businesses across the state obtain federal, state and local contracts totaling over $1.9 billion in prime contract awards and an additional $275 million in subcontracting awards.
That adds up to an impressive contribution to the New Hampshire economy.
 Martha Keene, Dave Pease, Amanda Duquette “Without PTAP’s assistance, we would not be anywhere near where we are today, if we survived at all,” wrote business owner Joe Lopez of Arrow Security and Training in his letter of support. “I refer every company I work with to them, which is the best compliment I can give.”
The work of NH PTAP has earned the respect of business owners throughout the state and is an invaluable partner to the SBA district office.
Congratulations Dave, Martha and Amanda! We are very proud of your work.
Lorna Colquhoun
Communications Director
NH Division of Economic Development
PS: Here is information on the next seminar in which NH PTAP will be participating. You should go.
Tags: government contracting in NH, NH-PTAP, SBA
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Small Business Champions: NH-PTAP Team Demystifies Government Contracting
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking nominations for awards honoring the critical economic role small businesses play in federally funded research and development through SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
 Three awards will be given, one for companies that have participated in the SBIR/STTR programs, one for individuals who advocate on behalf of the programs, and a third “Hall of Fame” award recognizing companies that have an extended period of extraordinary success of research, innovation, and product commercialization within the SBIR or STTR program.
The Tibbetts Awards are named after Roland Tibbetts, who was instrumental in developing SBIR, a highly competitive program to ensure small businesses get a chance to compete for federal research and development funding, along with the opportunities it provides to profit from commercialization of the technologies they develop.
The SBIR and STTR programs currently account for more than $2.5 billion per year in federal R&D funds and are coordinated by the SBA in cooperation with 11 other federal agencies with large external research and development budgets.
The awards are presented to companies and individuals that are beacons of promise and models of excellence in high technology. Typical of past award winners are a Maine company that created a self-propelled and eco-friendly “AquaPod” for sustainable aqua-culture. A previous Hall of Fame award winner that won numerous SBIR grants – a major west coast chip manufacturer – started with a staff of 35 and has expanded to a global work force of 17,500.
Selections for Tibbetts Awards are based on several factors, including the economic impact of the technological innovation, overall business achievement and demonstration of effective collaborations.
Nominations for these awards opened December 15, 2011 and will close 5 PM EST on January 31, 2012. Awards will be presented in Washington, DC, in April 2012. To submit a nomination, please visit tibbetts.challenge.gov (Tibbetts Awards – companies and individuals) and sbirhof.challenge.gov (Hall of Fame Awards).
Tags: Roland Tibbetts, SBA, SBIR, STTR, U.S. Small Business Administration
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on SBA Accepting Nominations for Small Business Innovation Research Awards
Monday, November 28th, 2011
Have you ever wondered about how a competitor received a contract with a federal or state agency?
 Does the thought of selling your product or service to state, local or government agencies cause you to sweat and worry about an endless stream of expensive and complicated paperwork?
If you wanted to begin, where would you even start and who could you ask for honest advice?
On December 15th, the New Hampshire office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the NH Procurement Technical Assistance Program (NH-PTAP) will present their first of several “Everything You Want to Know About Government Contracting But Were Afraid to Ask!” roundtable sessions for small business owners or key employees in small businesses who are thinking about joining the hundreds of New Hampshire small businesses who sold over $275 million dollars in goods and services to federal agencies.
According to Dave Pease, Program Manager of the NH-PTAP, “The companies that have achieved success in selling to federal or state agencies or large federal contractors have several things in common. They all have asked questions, they all have experienced frustration at some point and they all have persevered with a winning bid or proposal.”
At the upcoming roundtable business owners will hear contracting specialists discuss real and perceived barriers that businesses encounter as well as strategies and supportive resources you can use to overcome barriers and gain access to these opportunities.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The New Hampshire Innovation Commercialization Center Conference Room
75 Rochester Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801
This session is offered free of charge, but space is limited. Please contact Rachael Roderick at 603 225-1603 or rachael.roderick@sba.gov to register.
Tags: Dave Pease, New Hampshire Innovation Commercialization Center, NH Procurement Technical Assistance Program, NH-PTAP, Rachael Roderick, SBA, U.S. Small Business Administration
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Small Business Roundtable: “Everything You Want to Know About Government Contracting But Were Afraid to Ask!”
Monday, September 12th, 2011
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations affected by the severe storms and flooding from August 26 through September 6 to apply for disaster loans. Home business and vacation rental owners need to be aware they are also eligible for disaster loans from the SBA.
 The disaster declaration for New Hampshire covers the counties of Carroll and Grafton, which are eligible for both physical damage and economic injury disaster loans from the SBA. In addition small businesses and some private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Belknap, Coos, Merrimack, Strafford and Sullivan.
Interest rates are as low as 3 percent for nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
SBA disaster loans are for uninsured losses. Business owners should not wait for insurance settlements before applying for SBA disaster loans. The SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their loan.
Types of Business Loans:
·Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.
·For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers EIDL to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Your first step is to call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). If you use TTY, call 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362 or online at www.disasterassistance.gov
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 7, 2011.
The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 7, 2012.
****ADDED NOTE: Disaster Recovery Centers have been established in the following locations to assist business owners:
Conway
Mount Washington Technology Village
53 Technology Lane
Opening Monday, September 12th at 12:00 p.m.
Then: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Campton
Campton Baptist Church
1345 Route 175
Opening Monday September 12th at 1200 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Then: Tuesday 9/13 and Wednesday 9/14 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Woodstock
Woodstock Town Office
165 Lost River Road
Opening Thursday 9/15 from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Then: Friday 9/16 from 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9/17 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Plymouth
Plymouth Town Office
6 Post Office Square
Opening Monday, September 19th from 1200 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Then: Tuesday 9/20 and Wednesday 9/21 from 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Canaan
Canaan Fire Station
62 Route 118
Opening Thursday 9/22 from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Then: Friday 9/23 from 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9/24 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lebanon
Lebanon Airport Terminal
5 Airpark Road
Opening Monday September 26th from 1200 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Then: Tuesday 9/27 and Wednesday 9/28 from 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tags: EIDL, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, SBA, U.S. Small Business Administration
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on SBA Offers Low Interest Disaster Loans to NH Businesses
Thursday, February 17th, 2011
Small businesses facing maturity of commercial mortgages or balloon payments before Dec. 31, 2012, may be able to refinance their mortgage debt with a 504 loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration under a new, temporary program announced today.
 The new refinancing loan is structured like SBA’s traditional 504, with borrowers committing at least 10 percent equity and working with third-party lending institutions and SBA-approved Certified Development Companies in the standard 50 percent/40 percent split. A key feature of the new program is that it does not require an expansion of the business in order to qualify.
SBA will begin accepting refinancing applications on Feb. 28. The program, authorized under the Small Business Jobs Act, will be in effect through Sept. 27, 2012.
“The economic downturn of recent years and the declining value of real estate have had a significant, negative impact on many small businesses with mortgages maturing within the next few years,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “As a result, even small businesses that are performing well and making their payments on time could face foreclosure because of the difficulties they face in refinancing and restructuring their mortgage debt. This temporary program is another tool SBA can provide to help these small businesses remain viable and protect jobs.”
The SBA initially will open the program to businesses with immediate need due to impending balloon payments before Dec. 31, 2012. SBA will revisit the program later and may open it to businesses with balloon payments due after that date or those that can demonstrate strong need in other ways.
“We are making this initial restriction to make sure our funding goes first to small businesses with the most need,” said Steve Smits, SBA Associate Administrator of Capital Access.
Borrowers will be able to refinance up to 90 percent of the current appraised property value or 100 percent of the outstanding mortgage, whichever is lower, plus eligible refinancing costs. Loan proceeds may not be used for other business expenses. Existing 504 projects and government-guaranteed loans are not eligible to be refinanced.
Congress authorized SBA to approve up to $15 billion in loans under this program ($7.5 billion in both fiscal 2011 and 2012). Together with the first mortgage, this temporary program will provide up to $33.8 billion of total project financing. Additional fees charged to the borrower will cover the cost of this refinancing program and as a result no subsidy will be needed. The program is expected to benefit as many as 20,000 businesses.
SBA’s traditional 504 loan program is a long-term financing tool, designed to encourage economic development within a community. A 504 loan provides small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing to acquire major fixed assets for expansion or modernization.
Typically, a 504 project includes three elements: a loan (or first mortgage) secured with a senior lien from a private-sector lender covering up to 50 percent of the project cost, a second mortgage secured with a junior lien from an SBA Certified Development Company (backed by a 100 percent SBA-guaranteed debenture) covering up to 40 percent of the cost, and a contribution of at least 10 percent equity from the small business borrower.
Tags: Congress, Karen Mills, SBA, Steve Smits, U.S. Small Business Administration
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on SBA Launches Temporary Program for Commercial Real Estate Refinancing
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
According to the Ready Business (www.ready.gov) program (an initiative of the Federal Emergency Management Administration), one in four businesses never reopens after an emergency. One in four……that’s a staggering statistic given the fact that business preparedness should be an integral part of any company’s long term planning process.
 In addition, a 2007 survey of small business owners by the Red Cross and FedEx showed that while 94 percent of small business owners believed there was a potential for disaster to seriously disrupt their business, less than half felt prepared for even a one-week disruption.
Recognizing the need for businesses to take precautions in the event of an emergency, especially given H1N1 fears, NH Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Chris Pope has asked the NH Division of Economic Development to pass on the following press release regarding a new guide to assist small businesses get the information they need to protect their employees and companies.
SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ANNOUNCES H1N1 PREPAREDNESS GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
WASHINGTON—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen Mills and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Division Deputy Director Daniel Jernigan to announce a preparedness guide to assist small businesses in planning for the H1N1 flu.
 Secretary Napolitano “Small businesses play an essential role in our national effort to prepare for all disasters and emergencies—including the H1N1 flu,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This guide will help America’s small businesses maintain continuity of operations and resiliency as the fall flu season approaches.”
“Small Business owners should take the time to create a plan, talk with their employees and make sure they are prepared for flu season,” added Administrator Mills. “For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line. A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small businesses and local economies.”
Outbreaks of H1N1 flu are occurring now across the country and will likely coincide with the return of seasonal flu this fall and winter. The preparedness guide offers small business employers tools and information to help them plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak—which may lead to increased absenteeism, and, if the outbreak becomes more severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply chain disruptions. Additional preparations may be necessary if a more serious outbreak evolves during the fall and winter.
Employers are encouraged to put strategies in place now to protect their employees and their businesses in advance of the fall flu season. Included in the preparedness guide are tips on how to write a continuity of operations plan, steps for keeping employees healthy, frequently asked questions about the 2009 H1N1 flu and a list of additional resources that employers can access online.
Visit the following Web links for details:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/business/smallbiz.html
http://www.flu.gov/professional/business/index.html
Tags: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chris Pope, Daniel Jernigan, Federal Emergency Management Administration, FedEx, H1N1, Janet Napolitano, Karen Mills, Ready Business, Red Cross, SBA
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on H1NI Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses Unveiled
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