Tag Archives: sba

SBA Licenses First Nationwide Impact Investment Fund

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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.  

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Get Tips on Using Social Media for Disaster Recovery

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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.  

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SBA Finalizes One Size Definition Change, Proposes Another

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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.  

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SBA Webinar Series Marks National Entrepreneurship Week, Feb. 18-25

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WHAT: The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a series of webinars in recognition of the sixth annual National Entrepreneurship Week.  The emphasis will be on financial empowerment and building the entrepreneurship skills of the next generation of small business owners, using business basics, social networking and business strategizing.

WHEN: February 21-24, 2012, daily at 3:00 p.m. (ET)

WHO: Webinar topics and presenters are

Felipe Wright, CEO

Intelligent Information Technology Solutions

Topic: Entrepreneurship Empowers Everyone Tuesday, February 21 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Joseph Clarke, Chapter Chair

Washington, D.C. SCORE

Topic: The Things an Entrepreneur Needs to Know Wednesday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Melanie Lamar-Hancock, President

Right at Home, Washington, D.C.

Topic: Building Your Team

Thursday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Jennifer Kushell, Founder and CEO

YSN.com

Topic: Entrepreneurship & Networking

Friday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m.

HOW:        Audio Conference Login Instructions

1.  Dial the AT&T Connect Teleconference Toll-Free Number – 1-888-858-2144 2.  Enter your AT&T Access Code – 4259370 (press the # key)

Web Conference Login Instructions

1.  Login at www.connectmeeting.att.com  

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