Grow Your Business

Important Federal Tax Dates for May 2012

John A. Lizotte — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:10:30 +0000

Wed	2	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 25-27 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	4	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 28 – May 1 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed	9	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 2-4 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Thu	10	Employers: Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during April.
Thu	10	File Form 941 for the first quarter of 2012 if you timely deposited all required payments.
Fri	11	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 5-8 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Tue	15	Deposit payroll tax for Apr if the monthly deposit rule applies.
Wed	16	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 9-11 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	18	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 12-15 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed	23	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 16-18 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	25	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 19-22 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Thu	31	File Form 730 and pay the tax on wagers accepted during April.
Thu	31	File Form 2290 and pay the tax for vehicles first used during April.
Thu	31	Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 23-25 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.

SBA Announces a New Partnership to Connect Small Businesses with Corporate Supply Chains

John A. Lizotte — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:31:51 +0000

WASHINGTON – A new private-public collaboration will help small businesses strengthen their revenue streams by gaining access to more than $300 billion in combined supply chain spending by a consortium of 15 of America’s largest corporations, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today.

Supplier Connection, created by the IBM Foundation, is part of the Obama Administration’s American Supplier Initiative and is designed to help bridge the gap between small, nimble businesses looking for new opportunities and large corporations looking for innovative new ideas and diversity in their supply chains.

“The American Supplier Initiative is part of a comprehensive solution to grow small businesses, create jobs and to ensure that America has a strong, deep and diverse supply chain,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “While it is clear that becoming a corporate supplier can lead to business growth, breaking in can be a challenge for small businesses. The Supplier Connection will be one tool to help small businesses connect with corporate buyers. Tools like this help to ensure that more small businesses are part of commercial supply chains, which adds additional revenue streams. This is a proven formula for job creation.”

Mills today sent letters about Supplier Connection, a new tool to help small businesses access private sector supply chains, to more than 50,000 small businesses that currently participate in small business federal procurement programs. Studies have shown that small businesses that are part of large corporations’ supply chains experience increased revenues and employment. SBA is committed to helping small businesses identify new tools and resources to become part of these supply chains.

Supplier Connection is a free, online portal created by the IBM Foundation that allows small businesses to send information about their products and services to 15 large private sector companies. The 15 companies participating in Supplier Connection are: AMD, AT&T, Bank of America, Caterpillar, Citi Group, Dell, Facebook, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, John Deere, Kellogg’s, Office Depot, Pfizer, UPS and Wells Fargo. Together, these 15 companies have a combined purchasing power of $300 billion and now they will have full access to the profiles of small businesses that have registered for Supplier Connection.

The American Supplier Initiative is a call-to-action to the private sector to invest in their supply chains through small businesses. The initiative aims to address four key areas in which small business need help in order to become successful suppliers in the private sector: access to mentorship and counseling services, increased market and revenue opportunities, ready sources of capital to fund their growth, and a highly skilled workforce.

To date, several American Supplier Initiative announcements have already been made:

• SBA’s International Trade Loan expansion – This program provides small businesses with capital to finance their fixed assets, including real estate, and working capital needs. This program offers private lenders a 90 percent guarantee on loans up to $5 million as an incentive to encourage lending to growing small businesses. Small businesses may use the ITL program to on-shore and help bring jobs back to the U.S.

• Export-Import Bank’s Global Credit Express Product – This product is specially designed to deliver short-term working capital loans directly to creditworthy small business exporters. Through this new program, exporters may be eligible for a 6- or 12-month revolving line of credit of up to $500,000.

• CAPLines – SBA’s CAPLines program was recently revamped to help small businesses meet their short-term and cyclical working capital needs.

Identifying ways to strengthen small and medium-sized manufacturers is a priority for the administration and additional announcements under the American Supplier Initiative are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks and months.

For more information on Supplier Connection, please visit: https://www.supplier-connection.net.

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SBA Hosts 14-City Matchmaker Conferences for Federal Contract Opportunities

John A. Lizotte — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:50:23 +0000

WASHINGTON–The U.S. Small Business Administration will host the fourth of its free Mentor-Protégé Matchmaking Conference series in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 21. The program gives small disadvantaged businesses access to guidance on federal contracting, face-to-face meetings and opportunities to team with larger businesses and graduates of the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program.

During the forums, small businesses will learn how to market themselves to the federal government and go after government contracting opportunities. They will also get an overview of the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program – a tool of the SBA’s 8(a) program that encourages mentors to team with a protégé or smaller firm to help them with management and technical assistance, financial assistance and access to joint ventures and federal contracting opportunities.

“Although we are encouraged by the economic indicators trending upward, we are still facing challenging economic times,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “That’s why it’s important that we make sure that more federal contracts get into the hands of small businesses that drive the nation’s economy and create jobs. These forums will go a long way in making sure that small businesses know how to leverage their companies and team with viable partners to take their businesses to the next level.”

The forums will also feature a discussion of strategic alliance and joint venture opportunities, a Q&A session and face-to-face and virtual business matchmaking sessions with larger businesses and companies that have graduated from the 8(a) program.

Small disadvantaged businesses and 8(a) firms interested in attending must register at: http://sba.mybusinessmatches.com/buyers/generalinfo. Approximately 300 small businesses will be matched prior to their meetings based on their compatibility.

The first three matchmaking conferences took place in Washington, D.C., in January and Atlanta, Ga., and Orlando, Fla., in February. The list of the remaining cities scheduled is as follows:

• Los Angeles, Calif. (March 21)

• Houston, Texas (March 27)

• San Antonio, Texas (March 29)

• Chicago, Ill. (April 5)

• Denver, Colo. (April 11)

• Boston, Mass. (May 10)

• Newark, N.J. (May 23)

• Seattle, Wash. (June 7)

• Kansas City, Mo. (June 21)

• Sacramento, Calif. (July 24)

• Cleveland, Ohio (August 7)

For more information about the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program, visit: www.sba.gov/content/mentor-protégé-program and to learn more about the Mentor-Protégé Matchmaking Conference, visit: http://sba.mybusinessmatches.com/buyers/generalinfo.

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Important Federal Tax Dates for April 2012

John A. Lizotte — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:08:24 +0000

Mon	2	Electronically file Forms W-2, W-2G, 1098, 1099, and 8027.
Wed	4	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 28-30 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	6	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 31 – Apr 3 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Tue	10	Employers: Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during March.
Wed	11	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 4-6 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	13	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 7-10 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Tue	17	Household Employers: File Sch. H with Form 1040 if you paid $1,700 or more to a household employee.
Tue	17	Corporations: Deposit the first installment of your estimated tax for 2012.
Tue	17	Employers: Deposit payroll tax for Mar. if the monthly deposit rule applies.
Tue	17	Individuals: File 2011 Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. For automatic 6-month extension file Form 4868 and deposit estimated tax. Pay the first installment of 2012 estimated tax.
Tue	17	Partnerships: File 2011 Form 1065 and furnish a copy of Sch. K-1 to each partner.
Tue	17	Electing Large Partnerships: File 2011 Form 1065 calendar year return.
Thu	19	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 11-13 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	20	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 14-17 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed	25	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 18-20 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	27	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Apr 21-24 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Mon	30	File Form 720 for the first quarter of 2012.
Mon	30	File Form 730 and pay the tax on wagers accepted during March.
Mon	30	File Form 2290 and pay the tax on vehicles first used in March.
Mon	30	Employers: File Form 941 for the first quarter of 2012.
Mon	30	Deposit FUTA tax owed through Mar if more than $500.

SBA’s March Web Chat Offers Tips and Advice for Women-Owned Small Businesses

John A. Lizotte — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:22:37 +0000

WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Women’s History Month, SBA’s March web chat will feature an open forum on Women’s Business Ownership. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership helps to promote growth of women-owned businesses through SBA programs offering business training and counseling, access to credit and capital, and business and networking opportunities. It also administers a nationwide network of Women’s Business Centers that provide training and counseling to entrepreneurs.

WHO: Ana Harvey, assistant administrator of the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, will host the March web chat on “Ask the Expert: Women’s Small Business Open Forum.” Join her for an exchange on starting and growing a business.

WHAT: SBA’s web chat series provides small business owners with an opportunity to discuss relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the web chats via questions they submit online in advance, and during the live session. Participants will gain valuable information on how to connect to counselors, mentors and other women business owners.

WHEN: March 22, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. (ET). Harvey will answer questions for one hour.

HOW: Participants can join the live web chat, and also post questions before the chat, by going online to www.sba.gov, and selecting the Web Chat Event under What’s New.

To review archives of past web chats, visit online at http://www.sba.gov/content/monthly-web-chat.

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State Small Business Week Winners Will Head for Washington in May

John A. Lizotte — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:31:24 +0000

SBA Honors Nation’s Top Small Businesses
Winners Will Gather in Washington during National Small Business Week

WASHINGTON – Small Business Person of the Year winners from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam will converge on Washington, D.C. in May, when one of them will be selected as National Small Business Person of the Year during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s celebration of National Small Business Week, May 20-22.

The participating state small business winners represent a broad range of business products, services and innovations, including a gourmet food maker from Maine, a North Carolina microbrewery, a bus-builder from Nevada, a Wisconsin dental clinic, a machine parts miller from Iowa, a trade show producer from New Mexico and 47 others from across the country.

While in D.C., the winners will have opportunities to meet with top administration officials, congressional representatives and national business leaders. The highlight of the celebration will come when one of them is named National Small Business Person of the Year.

National Small Business Week is cosponsored by the SCORE Association as well as numerous corporate and trade sponsors to be announced.

Events on the three-day schedule will be available for viewing virtually through SBA’s free, live webcasting, which will be accessible at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/. Interested parties can register online at the same site, where additional information (updated weekly) is available regarding registration, awards ceremonies, small business forums and educational and matchmaking sessions. The event also will be webcast live at the web site.

Participants also will be recognized for their involvement in disaster recovery, government contracting, and their support for small businesses and entrepreneurship, and awards will be presented to SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development, including the year’s top SCORE Chapter, Small Business Development Center and Women’s Business Center.

The National Small Business Week award events will include the following individuals and groups (Others can be found at the National Small Business Week website at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com:

• The National Small Business Person of the Year, selected from the State Small Business Persons of the Year.

• The Champion Awards, recognizing both individuals and organizations for their achievements on behalf of small business, including minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses.

• The Phoenix Awards, recognizing a public official, a business owner and a volunteer whose efforts have helped their businesses or communities recover successfully from a disaster.

• The Lenders of the Year, honoring financial institutions, including those that provide financing for small business exporters and inner city businesses.

• The Entrepreneurial Development Awards honoring Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and the National SCORE Chapter of the Year for their innovation and excellence in assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses, plus awards for SCORE, SBDC and Women’s Business Center counselors of the year.

• The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence, recognizing large prime contractors who have excelled in their utilization of small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors.

• The Gold Star Award, recognizing exemplary performance of federal staff who manage the aggressive goals and strategic initiatives that help ensure a role for small business in the federal marketplace.

• The Frances Perkins Vanguard Award, honoring industry for excellence in the use of women-owned small businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors.

• The Small Business Prime Contractors and Small Business Subcontractor of the Years, honoring small businesses that have provided government and industry with outstanding goods and services as prime or sub contractors.

Small Business Persons of the Year for 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam

ALABAMA

Robin DuBrock Gregorius, RN

Owner/Administrator

Country Gables Assisted Living, Inc.

12250 Hi Fields Road

Grand Bay, AL 36541

(251) 367-2800

ALASKA

Cynthia “Rene” Haag

President

Blaine’s Art, Inc.

1025 Photo Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 561-5344

ARIZONA

Zeferino Banda Jr.

President/CEO

Banda Group Intl., LLC

1799 E. Queen Creek Road, Suite 1

Chandler, AZ 85286

(480) 636-8734

ARKANSAS

Dr. Alexander Lostetter

President & CEO

Jared Hornberger

Director of Manufacturing

Sharmila Mounce

Business Operations Manager

Dr. Roberto Marcelo Schupbach

Chief Technology Officer

Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc.

535 W. Research Center Blvd., Suite 209

Fayetteville, AR 72701

(479) 443-5759

CALIFORNIA

Jack R. White Jr.

President

Home Brew Mart, Inc.

Dba Ballast Point

10051 Old Grove Avenue

San Diego, CA 92131

(858) 695-2739

COLORADO

James E. Hurley

President

JE Hurley Construction, Inc.

4602 Northpark Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

(719) 265-8668

CONNECTICUT

Lawrence Janesky

Owner/President

Connecticut Basement Systems

60 Silvermine Road

Seymour, CT 06483

(800) 640-1500 ext. 9328

DELAWARE

Eliseo Valenzuela

President

Cheryl A. Valenzuela

Vice President

Joseph A. Wolfe

Executive Director

First State Manufacturing, Inc.

301 SE Fourth Street

Milford, DE 19963

(304) 424-4520

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Ryung Suh, MD

CEO

Mark H. Chichester, JD

President

Atlas Research

3240 Prospect Street, NW, Suite 100

Washington, DC 20007

(202) 717-8710

FLORIDA

Ann D. Sabbag

Founder & CEO

Health Designs, Inc.

35 Executive Way, Suite 110

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

(904) 285-2019

GEORGIA

Laura L. Darnall

Lois T. Judy

Co-Owners

Candy Craft Creations, LLC

64 Ross Road

Garden City, GA 31415

(912) 232-4410

GUAM

Richard K. Lai

President

Wing On Corporation

P.O. Box 9173

Tamuning, GU 96931

(671) 472-2695

HAWAII

Michael Tokunaga

President

S. Tokunaga Store

26 Hoku Street

Hilo, HI 96720

(808) 935-6965

IDAHO

Sondra F. McMindes, M.S.

Owner

Children’s Therapy Place, Inc.

6855 West Fairview Avenue, Suite 120

Boise, ID 83704

(208) 323-8888

ILLINOIS

Michelle Hayward

President

Bluedog Design

403 North Carpenter Street

Chicago, IL 60642

(312) 243-1101

INDIANA

Timothy A. Whicker

President

Electric Plus, Inc.

101 Lincoln Street

Danville, IN 46122

(317) 777-6161

IOWA

Timothy Greene

Owner

Quality Machine of Iowa

1040 Fourth Avenue

Audubon, IA 50025

(712) 563-2598

KANSAS

Gordon L. Jenkins

Mary E. Jenkins

Owners

Cimarron Shurfine Foods, LLC

Dba White’s Foodliner

18309 E. Highway 50

P.O. Box 608

Cimarron, KS 67835

(620) 855-3561

KENTUCKY

Donovan Wadsworth

President/CEO

D&M Contracting, Inc.

P.O. Box 1864

Richmond, KY 40475

(859) 624-4078

LOUISIANA

Edward V. Lepre

President & CEO

International Drug Detection, LLC

200 Hickory Avenue

Harahan, LA 70123

(504) 620-0070

MAINE

Michael R. Cote

President & CEO

Look’s Gourmet Food Company, Inc.

1112 Cutler Road

Whiting, ME 04691

(207) 259-3341

MARYLAND

Janet Irene Amirault

President and CE

Software Consortium, Inc.

10025 Governor Warfield Parkway, Suite 101 Columbia, MD 21044

(410) 740-1910

MASSACHUSETTS

Paula A. White

CEO & Founder

600 lb. gorillas, Inc.

558 Washington Street

Duxbury, MA 02331

(781) 452-7274

MICHIGAN

John Charles Lowery

President

Applied Imaging

5282 East Paris Avenue, SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49512

(616) 554-5200

MINNESOTA

Darrin Swanson

President & CEO

Kit Masters, Inc. and

Swan Machine, LLC

825 First Street NE

Perham, MN 56573

(218) 346-2121

MISSISSIPPI

Charles E. Fuqua Jr.

Owner

Four Seasons Lawn Care, LLC

4836 Main Street

Moss Point, MS 39563

(228) 355-0373

MISSOURI

Vicki LaRose

President

Civil Design, Inc.

1552 South Seventh Street

St. Louis, MO 63104

(314) 863-5570

MONTANA

Kenneth Clow Walsh

President

Simms Fishing Products, LLC

101 Evergreen Drive

P.O. Box 3645

Bozeman, MT 59772

(406) 585-3557

NEBRASKA

Duane Ohlrich

President

Patricia Ohlrich

Secretary

Industrial Systems & Supply, Inc.

2760 East 29th Avenue

Columbus, NE 68601

(402) 564-4445

NEVADA

Nancy Munoz

Founder/Director

Leah Munoz

President

Rachel Drenk

Secretary

SVI

Dba Specialty Vehicles

440 Mark Leany Drive

Henderson, NV 89011

(702) 567-5256

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Abhijit Nobis

CEO

Nobis Engineering, Inc.

18 Chenell Drive

Concord, NH 03301

(603) 224-4182

NEW JERSEY

Marjorie A. Perry

President & CEO

MZM Construction Company, Inc.

105 Lock Street, Suite 405

Newark, NJ 07103

(973) 242-7100

NEW MEXICO

Gina M. Euell

President

Exhibit Solutions of New Mexico

4301 Masthead St., N.E., Suite C

Albuquerque, NM 87109

(505) 298-5121

NEW YORK

Michael Mandina

President

Richard Plympton

CEO

Optimax Systems, Inc.

6367 Dean Parkway

Ontario, NY 14519

(585) 217-0729

NORTH CAROLINA

Oscar Peter Wong

President

Highland Brewing Company

12 Old Charlotte Highway #H

Asheville, NC 28805

(828) 299-3370

NORTH DAKOTA

Heather Ann Jones

President

City Air Mechanical, Inc.

3505 East Rosser Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58501

(701) 223-3775

OHIO

Victoria P. Tifft

President & CEO

Clinical Research Management, Inc.

1265 Ridge Road

Hinckley, OH 44233

(330) 278-2343

OKLAHOMA

David A. Waits

President & CEO

SST Development Group, Inc.

824 North Country Club Road

Stillwater, OK 74074

(888) 377-5334

OREGON

Charles (Chip) W. Sammons

Owner/President

Holistic Pet Center

15599 SE 82nd

Clackamax, OR 97015

(503) 656-5342

PENNSYLVANIA

Michael Mancuso

Jennifer Mancuso

Owners

Figliomeni Drug Stores

19 Dundaff Street

Carbondale, PA 18407

(570) 282-3033

PUERTO RICO

Oscar Quiles

President

Pentaq Manufacturing Corp.

Rayo Guaras Industrial Park

Sabana Grande, PR 00637

(787) 873-6055

RHODE ISLAND

Carolyn A. Rafaelian

President

Alex and Ani

115 Pettaconsett Avenue

Cranston, RI 02920

(401) 467-3952

SOUTH CAROLINA

Radha B. Herring

Broker-in-Charge

Watermark Real Estate Group

563 Mt. Gilead Road

P.O. Box 956

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576

(843) 314-4284

SOUTH DAKOTA

Kevin J. Berg

President

Emily E. Berg

Vice President

First Manufacturing, LLC

26119 S. Robin Drive

Sioux Falls, SD 57107

(605) 261-7294

TENNESSEE

Michael W. Lister

President

Douglas Allen Renegar

Vice President

Tamara C. Lister

Vice President

Laurel Pryor Renegar

Chief Financial Officer

Famous Five Dining, Inc.

227 Polk Place Drive

Franklin, TN 37064

(615) 791-0536

TEXAS

Michael Paul Minton

Owner

Minton’s Sportsplex

5610 Richmond Road

Texarkana, TX 75503

(903) 838-4697

UTAH

Karen Woodbury

President and CEO

Woodbury Technologies, Inc.

1725 East 1450 South, Suite 240

Clearfield, UT 84050

(801) 554-5125

VERMONT

Charles B. Curtis Jr.

CEO

Draker Laboratories

431 Pine Street, Suite 114

Burlington, VT 05401

(802) 865-3866

VIRGINIA

Jonathan L. Hagmaier

CEO

Mary V. Hagmaier

Director of Corporate Relations

Matthew Mark Muller

Solutions Architect

Jacob E. Gibson

VP of Business Development

Interactive Achievement, Inc.

601 Campbell Avenue

Roanoke, VA 24015

(540) 797-5158

WASHINGTON

Marla Beck

Owner and President

Andelcare

14400 Bel-Red Road, Suite 109

Bellevue, WA 98007

(425) 283-0408

WEST VIRGINIA

Frances Foster Brooks

CEO

Gene T. Brooks Jr.

President

BrooAlexa, LLC

405 Maxwell Street

Charleston, WV 25311

(304) 720-1922

WISCONSIN

Dr. Thomas Turner

Dr. Corey Brimacombe

Dr. Carl Hash

Dr. Joshua Spiegl

Owners

First Impressions, S.C.

413 N. 17th Avenue

Wausau, WI 54401

(715) 842-4649

WYOMING

Isaac Lee Swenson

Operator/Owner

Tamara Rae Swenson

Administrator/Owner

Rapid Wire, LLC

78 Sievers Road

Cora, WY 82925

(307) 367-4103

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Small Business Week 2012 sponsors and cosponsors include: the Association of Small Business Development Centers, the InterContinental Hotel Group, Lockheed Martin, the National Association of Development Companies, the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, the National Association for the Self-Employed, Northrup Grumman, Office Depot, Paychex, Raytheon, SCORE, the Small Business Investor Alliance, VISA, and Women Impacting Public Policy.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov. Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2012.

SBA Licenses First Nationwide Impact Investment Fund

John A. Lizotte — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:51:21 +0000

SJF Ventures III, LP Will Invest in Cleantech and Positive Impact Businesses Across the Country

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today licensed the first nationally-focused Impact Investment Fund, SJF Ventures III, LP. The fund will make equity investments in cleantech and technology companies in communities nationwide as part of an impact investment initiative to invest up to $1.5 billion in high-growth small businesses.

“SJF Ventures III, LP is yet another important new ally in SBA’s commitment to foster small business growth and job creation in emerging sectors,” said Administrator Karen Mills. “They’re an experienced team that is well-positioned to drive more investment in high growth, positive impact companies. We will continue to grow this and other public-private partnerships by licensing more funds and putting more capital in the hands of small business owners to grow and create good jobs.”

SJF Ventures invests growth equity in companies with strong financial, community and environmental results. SJF’s areas of focus include: efficiency and infrastructure; reuse and recycling; sustainable agriculture and food safety; and technology enhanced services. The third fund managed by SJF Ventures will build upon a successful track record of returns and impacts across 34 SJF portfolio companies from its first two funds. Citi Community Capital (Citi), the community development lending and investing group of Citi, is the lead investor in SJF Ventures III, LP, an unleveraged Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) fund. The fund is committing up to $75 million of investment capital over the next five years.

The impact investment initiative is part of Startup America, a White House initiative to bring together public and private organizations to accelerate the growth of America’s entrepreneurs. The initiative uses the infrastructure of the SBA’s SBIC program, an established and successful program that operates at no cost to taxpayers. The SBIC program began in 1958 to supplement the flow of private equity capital and long-term loan funds to small businesses. In FY 2011, the SBIC program provided $2.8 billion of financing to 1,339 U.S. small businesses.

The announcement follows on a July, 2011 SBA licensing of InvestMichigan! Mezzanine Fund whose investment targets a state or region, primarily Michigan, in SBA’s new impact investment initiative.

The impact investment initiative will drive up to $1.5 billion into the hands of small businesses over the next five years. It provides funding for high-growth companies that will generate not only a financial but also a “social” return by focusing on businesses located in underserved communities or communities facing barriers to capital.

Through the initiative SBA will commit $1 billion to investment funds focused on investing in underserved markets or in sectors that have been defined as national priorities. Impact investments can be:

• Place-based, targeting small businesses located in or employing residents of low or moderate income areas or economically distressed areas; or

• Sector-based, targeting industry sectors that the Administration has identified as national priorities. Currently only clean energy and education have been identified as priority sectors.

To serve these markets SBA will collaborate with private, institutional investors to identify impact investments and provide expedited licensing and capital to fund managers who qualify to organize and operate an Impact Investment SBIC. SBA will provide up to a 2:1 match to private capital raised by these funds, partnering with private investors to target “impact” investments.

High-growth firms are a small part of the small business community, but they create a large number of net new jobs each year. The initiative will help high-growth companies receive the funding they need to continue to expand and create jobs in America’s underserved communities and priority sectors.

For more information on the impact investment initiative please visit http://www.sba.gov/content/impact-investment-initiative.

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Get Tips on Using Social Media for Disaster Recovery

John A. Lizotte — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:29:30 +0000

Crisis Communications Strategies offered during Free SBA/Agility Webinar

WASHINGTON – When a deadly tornado destroyed nearly 8,000 homes and businesses in Joplin, Mo. last May, civic and business leaders took advantage of social media tools to identify urgent needs, give accurate information, and connect disaster victims with credible resources to start the recovery process.

Businesses typically use social media to promote their products, but it’s a good idea to consider Social Media as a valuable tool in disaster preparedness.

Get tips on best practices for creating a crisis communications plan using social media during a March 13 webinar hosted by Agility Recovery Solutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Experts Jim Garrow with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and Patrice Cloutier from the Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will address the practical use of social media during emergency situations. Case studies, including the Joplin recovery efforts, will also be discussed.

SBA has partnered with Agility to offer business continuity strategies through its “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access past webinars and get additional preparedness tips.

The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

WHO: Jim Garrow, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Patrice Cloutier, Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

WHAT: “Social Media and Disaster Recovery” will be presented by Garrow and Cloutier. A question and answer session will follow.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT

HOW: Space is limited. Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/620323496

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SBA Finalizes One Size Definition Change, Proposes Another

John A. Lizotte — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:06:07 +0000

SBA Increases Size Standards in Transportation and Warehousing Sector, Proposes Increases for Health Care and Social Assistance Sector

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today published a final rule in The Federal Register raising the size definitions of small businesses in the Transportation and Warehousing sector, and a proposed rule increasing the size standards for the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. The increases reflect changes in marketplace conditions.

The SBA initially proposed revisions to small business size definitions for the Transportation and Warehousing sector in a proposed rule published in The Federal Register on May 13, 2011, and made it available for public comment.

The final rule will increase the revenue-based size standards in 22 industries and retain the current size standards for the remaining 37 industries in the Transportation and Warehousing sector. The SBA estimates as many as 1,200 additional firms in this sector will become eligible for SBA programs as a result of these revisions.

The SBA also issued a proposed rule today to increase the small business size standards for 28 industries in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. As many as 4,100 additional firms could become eligible for SBA’s programs and services if the proposed increases are adopted.

Comments can be submitted on this proposed rule on or before April 24, 2012, at www.regulations.gov, identified by RIN 3245-AG30, where they will be posted. You may also mail comments to Khem R. Sharma, Chief, Size Standards Division, 409 3rd St., SW, Mail Code 6530, Washington, DC 20416.

As part of an ongoing review of all size standards, the SBA takes into account the structural characteristics within individual industries, including average firm size, the degree of competition, and federal government contracting trends to ensure that small business size definitions reflect current economic conditions within those industries. Under provisions in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, SBA will continue its comprehensive review of all size standards for the next several years.

The revisions to the size standards in these sectors will enable more small businesses to retain their small business status, will give federal agencies a larger selection of small businesses to choose from for small business procurement opportunities and help eligible small businesses benefit from SBA’s loan programs.

An SBA-issued White Paper entitled, “Size Standards Methodology”, which explains how the SBA establishes, reviews and modifies its receipts-based and employee-based small business size standards can be viewed at http://www.sba.gov/size. For more information about SBA’s revisions to its small business size standards, click on “What’s New with Size Standards” on SBA’s Web site at: http://www.sba.gov/size.

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Important Federal Tax Dates for March 2012

John A. Lizotte — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:06:16 +0000

Thu	1	Farmers and Fisherman: File 2011Form 1040 and pay any tax due. However, you have until Apr 17 to file if you paid your 2011 estimated tax payments by Jan 15, 2012.
Fri	2	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Feb 25-28 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed	7	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Feb 29 – Mar 2 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	9	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 3-6 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Mon	12	Employers: Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during February.
Wed	14	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 7-9 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Thu	15	Corporations: File Form 1120 for 2011 calendar year and pay any tax due. For automatic 6-month extension, file Form 7004 and deposit estimated tax.
Thu	15	Employers: Deposit payroll tax for Feb. if the monthly deposit rule applies.
Thu	15	S Corporations: File Form 1120S for 2011 calendar year and pay any tax due. Furnish a copy of Sch. K-1 to each shareholder. File Form 2553 to elect S Corporation status beginning with calendar year 2012.
Thu	15	Electing Large Partnerships: Furnish Sch. K-1 (Form 1065-B) to each partner.
Fri	16	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 10-13 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed	21	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 14-16 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	23	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 17-20 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed	28	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 21-23 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri	30	Deposit payroll tax for payments on Mar 24-27 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Sat	31	File Form 2290 and pay the tax for vehicles first used in February.
Sat	31	File Form 730 and pay the tax on wagers accepted during February.