New York SBDC Research Network

Eligible small business owners now have more options to refinance eligible fixed assets and business expenses through the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Refinance Program . SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet made the program permanent through an Interim Final Rule in The Federal Register released May 26, 2016. This change will help small business owners ease their financial burdens and create incentives for potential expansion and further job creation. In making the announcement, Contreras-Sweet said: “As both a former small business owner and a banker, I know firsthand that access to capital is the single most important factor in the survival and growth of a small business. The 504 loan program with its long term fixed-rate can help refinance debt from adjustable rate loans with significant savings to borrowers. Paying off existing loans with a new loan at a lower cost can help increase cash flow, which can be especially helpful in a resurgent economy. That’s why

From SBA: The U.S. Small Business Administration today released its annual Small Business Procurement Scorecards, which provide an assessment of each federal agency’s annual small business contracting achievement against its goal using a grade of A+ through F.  The federal government received an “A” on the government-wide scorecard for 2015, reflecting significant efforts by federal agencies toward meeting their 23 percent statutory goal.  The federal government also reached its small business federal contracting goal for the third consecutive year, awarding  25.75 percent in federal contracts to small businesses totaling $90.7 billion.  The 25.75 percent of contracts awarded to small businesses represent the highest ever percentage of contracts awarded to small businesses by the federal government. “I’m very happy to report that the federal government exceeded our 23 percent small business prime contracting goal for the third year in a row, with the federal governmen

Two family-owned and operated firms, McLaughlin Research Corporation (MRC), an engineering firm from Connecticut and Sound Roof Systems, Ltd., a roofing contractor from New York, have been named the National Prime Contractor of the Year and National Subcontractor of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). These winners, along with other national winners and finalists for the National Small Business Person of the Year, will participate in a recognition ceremony at the US Institute of Peace to kick off National Small Business Week on May 2. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet will be presenting all awards. In FY15, the federal government awarded 25.75 percent or $90.7 billion of all federal contracts to small businesses which translates to more than 537,000 jobs supporting revenue for the job creators who produce 2 out of 3 net, new private-sector jobs in the U.S. economy. The two small businesses were selected from among ten regional prime contractors and 10

This National Small Business Week, May 1-7, SBA is partnering with local organizations across the country to host hundreds of free, in-person workshops to help small businesses grow online. Check out a map of workshops, and RSVP to attend one near you . No workshop near you? No problem. Sign up to be notified when virtual lessons are available. P.S. These lessons are free and available to all businesses, so spread the word. #AllForSmallBiz .

From the special SBA page: Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness. This year’s theme will be “Dream Big, Start Small.” Sign up for several webinars .

Today, the Office of Advocacy, an independent office within the Small Business Administration, released the annual Small Business Profiles in a fresh, redesigned format. The user-friendly, data-rich profiles combine catchy visuals and more in-depth data than previous editions. They capture vital data on U.S. and state-level economic growth, industry, and jobs using completely reproducible data from the leading government statistical agencies. The profiles illustrate the state and national economies in terms of small business employment, diversity, and trade. They show the most important small business industries, both in the number of firms and how many jobs they account for. And they show establishment turnover trends and county-level job change. Visit Advocacy’s website to view the US or your state’s profile.

The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Emerging Leaders  Program helps business owners in challenged communities grow their operations by providing them with the tools they need. Learn more about the Emerging Leaders program . 

The values and culture of your company have a direct effect on your employees, customers and ultimately your bottom line. What are you doing to establish, cultivate and grow this precious commodity? This course will introduce you to the processes of implementing company values for your company by including input from stakeholders and customers. Learn about the steps in the planning process, potential problems you may face, and how to implement your company’s values using a strategic plan. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSE

Your opinion is important! The Small Business Administration (SBA) wants your input on how to design and implement a federal Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) certification process to replace self-certification.  The SBA is seeking input and comments on certification of WOSB and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB) in connection with the WOSB Federal Contract Program (set asides, sole source, etc).  SBA is planning to amend its regulations to implement section 825 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (2015 NDAA), which  removed the statutory authority allowing WOSBs and EDWOSBs to self-certify.  SBA intends to draft regulations to implement the statutory changes.

Small businesses will have more contracting opportunities beginning in FY 2017 thanks to a law President Obama signed recently that increases the maximum Small Business Administration surety bond guarantee percentage by 20 percentage points. The President signed the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2016 on November 25, 2015. Among other changes, the Act increases the maximum guarantee percentage in the SBA Preferred Surety Bond (PSB) Program from 70 percent to 90 percent. “This is the first significant legislative change to the surety bond guarantee program in several decades. It will provide increased incentives for surety bond companies and bond producers to participate in the program, which will expand contracting opportunities for small businesses across the country,” said Frank Lalumiere, Surety Bond Guarantee Program Director at SBA. Surety bonds help contractors bid on projects, both private and public as they protect project owners in the event the contr

For the first time in 8 years, the federal government has met its annual 23% goal for small business contracting... This has resulted in more than $83 billion dollars of revenue for small businesses, the engine and innovators of our resilient economy. This is a groundbreaking and proud achievement for the federal government and especially for our small businesses. When small businesses win federal contracts, it strengthens the American job market and boosts our nation’s economy. When small businesses are able to play an integral role in the federal supply chain, it’s a win-win for America. More from SBA .

The SBA Administrator recently announced a transformative new plan to automate SBA lending and streamline and simplify the agency’s underwriting process to attract more lending partners and open up new markets for small business owners who need capital to expand and grow. Days after this announcement, which will ease the burdens on lenders approving small-dollar loans to entrepreneurs, she appeared at a Clinton Global Initiative conference in Denver to help announce an exciting commitment called the Century Club. Eight Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) each pledged to make at least 100 small business loans a year for the next 10 years, which will inject $1 billion of additional capital into America’s small business ecosystem. More HERE .

Did you know that 95% of consumers live outside the United States? And a whopping two thirds of the world’s purchasing power is in foreign countries! Exporting can mean big things for your small business, and SBA is here with resources and information to help you succeed!

For more than fifty years, the SBA has helped entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed in their business ventures. For all kinds of business owners across the country – including in traditionally underserved communities – SBA provides resources and access to capital they need to flourish. Here's how SBA helps entrepreneurs and business owners who are:   Minorities : Interested in government contracting? The  8(a) Business Development Program  helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. Women : From registering your business to hiring your first employee, SBA is here to help you launch your small business.  Native Americans : SBA has opportunities and programs designed to help Native American entrepreneurs start and manage their businesses. Veterans : From the military world to the business world, SBA has customized resources to help our veterans succeed. 50+ Entrepreneurs : Are you nearing retirement and exploring new opportunities? SBA has information and to

The SBA Office of Advocacy has released Small Business Profiles for the States and Territories , an annual analysis of each state’s small business activities. In a new and improved format, the profiles feature information on small business employment, industry composition, small business borrowing, exporting, and survival rates, as well as business owner demographics. This annual publication provides information for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and United States.

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an interim final rule that will adjust monetary based small business size standards (i.e., receipts, assets, net worth and income) for inflation to allow more small businesses to become eligible for SBA’s financial and federal government procurement assistance programs. The interim final rule was published in the Federal Register this week. SBA is adjusting all industry specific monetary based size standards to reflect the inflation that has occurred since the last adjustment for inflation in 2008. These adjustments are in addition to the recent revisions made to the small business size standards as a result of the SBA’s comprehensive size standards review mandated by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. SBA is also adjusting its program specific monetary size standards with the exception of the new alternative size standard based on tangible net worth and net income that applies to SBA’s 7(a) and 504 loan programs.

The May 2014 issue of The Small Business Advocate is a special conference edition that highlights the events from the Office of Advocacy’s Region VI Symposium which took place in New Orleans. The symposium brought together members of Advocacy with small business leaders and entrepreneurs from around Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). The diverse participants shared their big ideas, best practices and barriers with Advocacy staff to take back to Washington, D.C. The newsletter includes details from presentations given by small business leaders, breakout sessions and site visits. In This Issue New Orleans Symposium Provides Valuable Lessons on Region VI Challenges and Successes Idea Village Connects the Local Community with Entrepreneurs Message from the Chief Counsel: The Gumbo of Entrepreneurship Advocacy Staff Dialogues With Small Business Stakeholders in Breakout Sessions Fostering Regional Innovation Accelerators Understanding the Waterways of

Did you know that in the wake of a disaster, SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations? SBA's latest video offers information about the steps to take to apply for assistance from SBA: After a presidential disaster declaration, first register with FEMA . In most cases, you'll be referred to SBA for possible loan assistance. Then you should apply online , which is the fastest way to receive a decision about your loan eligibility. Your loan processing is next. SBA will conduct a credit check and an onsite inspection to determine your losses. A loan officer will work with you to approve or decline a loan. Within five days of signing SBA’s loan closing documents, your first disbursement is made. A case manager will work with you to meet all your loan conditions and schedule the rest of your disbursements until you receive the full loan amount. SBA is here to help! Learn more about SBA's

The Dynamic Small Business Search is generally a self-certifying database. The SBA does not make any representation as to the accuracy of any of the data included, other than certifications relating to 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone or Small Disadvantaged Business status. The SBA strongly recommends that contracting officers diligently review a bidder's small business self-certification before awarding a contract.

Did you know that the SBA has a program designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the federal marketplace? If you’re interested in government contracting, the 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to small businesses for which you might be eligible. The 8(a) BD Program has been essential for helping socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to the economic mainstream of American society. Ultimately, the program helps thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs to gain a foothold in government contracting. More from SBA . SBA Hosts Webinar Series to Help Small Businesses Learn How to Apply for the 8(a) BD Program .