FOUNDER OF
FAMOUS DAVE’S FEATURED PRESENTER – Dave Anderson, founder of Famous
Dave’s of America and entrepreneur supreme, will share his optimism,
insights and advocacy of the American Dream in a presentation sponsored
by the L. Gale Lemerand Center for Entrepreneurship. The event will be
November 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hosseini Center at Daytona State College
(building 1200). The event is free, but reservations are required. For
information or for reservations call 386-506-4723 or email:
sbdc@DaytonaState.edu.
INTERACTIVE
CENSUS MAPS GET DOWN TO LOCAL LEVEL -- Some of the 2010 census data
releases can be accessed through interactive color maps that go down to
the census block. The maps show local census statistics that include
population, age, sex, race, ethnicity and household information. Go to:
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap and click on a data
category then type in a location.
SBA OFFERS WIDE
VARIETY OF ONLINE TRAINING -- The U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) offers free on-line training courses that include subjects such as
starting a business, contracting, and financing a business. For more
information go to:
sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/counseling-training.
EX-IM BANK
OFFERS WORKING CAPITAL LOANS FOR EXPORTERS -- Ex-Im Bank's working
capital financing enables U.S. exporters to obtain loans that facilitate
the export of goods or services. These working capital loans, made by
commercial lenders and backed by Ex-Im's guarantee, provide the
liquidity to accept new business, grow international sales and compete
more effectively in the international marketplace. For more information
go to: tinyurl.com/3og872j or
call John Kizer at Volusia County Economic Development at 386-248-8048.
SBA CHANGES
REFINANCING RULES -- The Small Business Administration (SBA)
recently changed the rules to the 504 Debt Refinancing Program. Many
more small businesses now are eligible for great 504 refinancing rates
and terms and working capital. Three key changes are: The third party
lender loan amount now may be equal to the new 504 loan amount providing
the 504 share is no more than 40 percent loan to value and the total
debt to be refinanced is no more than 90 percent of loan to value; a
small business now can use excess equity to obtain working capital that
can be used for financing of eligible business expenses such as
salaries, rent, utilities, inventory, payoff/down business line of
credit, etc.; and the Substantially All (85 percent or more) requirement
has been modified. Multiple refinances that may have occurred no longer
impact eligibility. Eligibility now is based on the original loan.
FLORIDA TO
BENEFIT FROM FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS -- Free trade agreements with
South Korea, Colombia and Panama are now law. Free trade agreements hold
promise for Florida and could create 20,000 new jobs in the state and
generate more than $1.5 billion in international trade opportunities,
according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The Latin America
agreements hold the most near term promise for Florida. Colombia is the
state's second largest trading partner with more than $7.5 billion in
imports and exports last year. Only Brazil was bigger, with nearly $16
billion.
LUNCH AND LEARN
SESSION FOCUSES ON CLOUD COMPUTING – The next Lunch and Learn
program offered by the Small Business Center at Daytona State College
will be an introduction to cloud computing. The session will focus on
the buzz behind the “cloud” and how this new way of computing can
minimize costs. This session will be November 22. The discussion
November 28 will be on Facebook and Twitter. This session will cover the
integral role Facebook and Twitter play in local and global marketing.
Lunch and Learn sessions are at Daytona State College from noon to 1
p.m. in Bergengren Hall, room 112, building 110. The sessions are free
but registration is required. To register call 386-506-4723 or email
sbdc@DaytonaState.edu.
Participants can bring lunch or buy lunch at the college’s student
center.
NEWS ITEMS
WANTED! – Please send your business news items to Dave Byron,
Volusia County Community Information Director, 123 W. Indiana Ave.,
DeLand, 32720-4612, by fax at (386) 822-5072 or by e-mail at
dbyron@co.volusia.fl.us.
