SBA January Calendar l 1/27 MA Export Expo

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Massachusetts District Office  

u s small business administration

January Education Calendar

Photo of 2022 fireworks and the following text, Happy New Year. The SBA logo is at the bottom.

 

Happy #NewYear!  Are you resolving to start a business in 2022? 

This 10-step guide can help!

UPCOMING Virtual Events

Monday 1/10/22 / 10:00am - 11:00am
Make Better Business Decisions with Google Analytics

Monday 1/10/22 / 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Basics of Starting Your Business

Tuesday 1/11/22 / 9:00am - 10:00am
Get Started-Doing Business with the Federal Government

Tuesday 1/11/22 / 11:00am - 12:00pm
How To Become Women-Owned Certified with SBA

Wednesday 1/12/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Book(keeping!) Club - CWE Eastern MA - Live Workshop

Wednesday 1/12/22 / 10:00am - 12:00pm
Excel Formulas — They Can Do More than Just Math

Thursday 1/13/22 / 9:00am - 12:00pm
Basics of Starting Your Business

Thursday 1/13/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Business Foundation: Business Planning - The Easier Way

Thursday 1/13/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm 
Become a Digital Media Creator with Canva, Session 1 - CWE Central MA - Live Workshop


5 DAYS LEFT FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS WEEK AWARDS SUBMISSION

Reminder: The deadline to electronically upload submission packages for the 2022 National #SmallBusinessWeek awards is next Tuesday, January 11th at 3pm ET.  

Please review the SUBMISSION GUIDELINES for each of the award categories carefully and be sure to follow the directions before you upload your package to the MA district office BOX ACCOUNT HERE.

SBA NSBW Award


QUESTIONS?


Contact: norman.eng@sba.gov


SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

2022 Award Categories

National Awards

  • Small Business Person of the Year
  • Small Business Exporter of the Year

Massachusetts District & New England Regional Awards

  • Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Small Business
  • Minority Small Business Owner
  • Veteran Small Business Owner
  • Woman Small Business Owner
  • Microenterprise
  • Young Entrepreneur (30 or under on June 1st 2022)
  • Small Business Manufacturer
  • Homebased Business Champion
  • Financial Services Champion
  • 8(a) Graduate of the Year

Thursday 1/13/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
BUSINESS PLANNING—THE SIMPLER WAY.

Friday 1/14/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Cloud Implementation and Cyber Security

Friday 1/14/22 / 11:30am - 1:30pm
Accounting for Non-Accountants - CWE Central MA

Tuesday 1/18/21 / 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Start Your Own Business

Wednesday 1/19/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Marketing Your Products or Services to the Federal Government

Wednesday 1/19/22 / 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Working on Wellness: Lunchtime Fitness for Busy Businesspeople - CWE Central MA - Live Workshop

Wednesday 1/19/22 / 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Website Planning 101

Thursday 1/20/22 / 9:00am - 10:00am
Instagram 101

Thursday 1/20/22 / 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Business Foundation - Building a Startup Budget

Thursday 1/20/22 / 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ready to Turn Your Idea into a Business? NOW is the Time!

Friday 1/21/22 / 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Thought Leadership to Attract More Business

Friday 1/21/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Power Up Your Small business with Verizon's Digital Ready Program

Monday 1/24/22 / 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Social Media Made Simple - CWE Central MA

Tuesday 1/25/22 / 9:00am - 10:30am
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

Tuesday 1/25/22 / 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Business Plan Basics - CWE Central MA

Wednesday 1/26/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
What the Yelp: Turning a Negative Online Review Into Positive P.R. - CWE Central MA - Live Workshop

Wednesday 1/26/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Building Business Credit - Part 2 - CWE Eastern MA - Live Workshop

Wednesday 1/26/22 / 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Steps to Start a Business - CWE Eastern MA - Live Workshop

Thursday 1/27/22 / 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Become a Digital Media Creator with Canva, Session 3 - CWE Central MA - Live Workshop

Friday 1/28/22 / 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Major Types Insurance That Businesses Should Have

 


Massachusetts Export Expo

Export Expo

Speakers and content to be announced soon.

Date: Thursday and Friday, January 27 and 28, 2022
Time: 
 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST
Location: Virtual  
Cost: No charge
Contact: Massachusetts Export Center at 617-973-6110

REGISTER

Join us for the Export Expo – the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community!

The Massachusetts Export Center’s Export Expo provides a forum for exporters to connect with the wide range of export resources available in Massachusetts while learning about issues that impact their day-to-day operations.

This year’s Export Expo will again be a virtual event that will include an exhibit area featuring government, non-profit and private sector service providers serving the export community. The Export Expo will also feature a lineup of workshops, panel discussions and special addresses on a wide variety of export-related topics.

The Export Expo will feature influential guest speakers and opportunities to connect with experts to answer your specific export questions. We hope that you will join us for the same timely and important international trade content in a convenient and safe virtual format! Our virtual platform will provide opportunities for networking and allow participants to view all of the conference’s content, so you won’t miss a thing!


Government Contracting 
and Business Development

Government contracting classroom

 

Tuesday 1/11/22 / 11:00am - 12:00pm
How To Become Women-Owned Certified with SBA

Tuesday 1/11/22 / 9:00am - 10:00am
Get Started-Doing Business with the Federal Government

Tuesday 1/25/22 / 9:00am - 10:30am
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

 

7J

 

7(j) training, provided to eligible firms and their employees, includes very specialized training in the areas of federal contracting. The training will be provided in an online format with live instructors and the ability for students to participate and ask questions. Up to 40 participants per workshop will receive training on how to make "real world" business decisions that will facilitate their firm's success.

Please check out the 7J training schedules for Stover & Associates and Gabriel Enterprises below. 

Stover & Associates, Inc. Training Schedule

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

REGISTER HERE: https://sbaworkshops.stoverteam.com
Click the “Register for Training” button on the left side navigation pane and check out a complete list of topics offered this month. 

Introduction to Construction Project Management
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 / 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Marketing to the Government Buyer
Thursday, January 13, 2022 / 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Understanding the Requests for Proposal
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 / 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Negotiating Government Contracts
Wednesday, January19,  2022 / 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Managing & Administrating Government Contracts
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 / 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Contractor Teaming
Thursday, January 27, 2022 / 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR) Primer
Monday, January 31, 2022 / 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

7J

SVOG Spotlight: Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts

MIFA

Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts is a nonprofit arts organization based in Holyoke MA.  Started in 1994 – MIFA produces, presents and sponsors performing arts programs in collaboration with communities in Western Massachusetts.

Executive Artistic Director Don Sanders leads MIFA, which has been a catalyst in providing an outlet to young people interested getting involved in the arts.

  • MIFA’s Education Program introduces students to major arts events and disciplines. Students participate in performances, workshops, masterclasses; and are given an opportunity to interact with major international artists and arts companies.
  • MIFA’s Vocational Program is a collaboration with Holyoke regional schools and the International Association of Technical and Stage Employees (IATSE Local 53) with the goal to train secondary and college-age students for highly skilled jobs in the Entertainment and Media Industries.

All MIFA programming supports the economic revitalization of Holyoke and a goal of the organization is the preservation and reopening of the century-old, 1,600 seat Broadway-style landmark, Victory Theatre located in the downtown area of Holyoke.

EIDL lifeline helps pivot programming In March of 2020, MIFA ceased operations and had to lay off all four employees due to COVID restrictions on live performances and gatherings mandated by the state.  

The first lifeline came from an SBA EIDL loan of $150,000 in August of 2020 which provided the support to pivot programming from in-person to virtual with the help of volunteers and part-time staff.  For example, through a relationship with New England Public Media, MIFA was able to present the Latinx theater festival with "Torched and The Red Rose" from Pregonnes, Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre. 

MIFA

 

SVOG keeps MIFA on course with mission Deprived of box office income, MIFA continued to fundraise through private supporters, foundations and other state programs.  Additionally, after meeting Rosa Taormina, Advisor at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center at Salem State University – MIFA learned about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, which was awarded in July of 2021.  The SVOG funds assured that MIFA could continue with recovery plans and replace the loss of income from the Covid shutdown.

The injection of SVOG funding enabled MIFA to stay on course with their mission, rehiring dedicated staff focused on transforming Victory Theater to be a cultural institution on a par with the likes of Tanglewood, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), and the Lincoln Center International Festival of the Arts.

On December 31, 2020, the Victory Theatre turned 100!  MIFA celebrated by hosting a special virtual event, “Victory Theatre’s 100th Birthday Celebration” featuring the work of one of Latin America’s most promising composers, Iván E. Rodríguez.   You can watch a short video about the event HERE.

 

Check out more Massachusetts Success Stories

 


NEWS RELEASE: SBA Lending Leaders to Minorities, Women, Veterans, Construction, Restaurants, and more Highlighted in SBA MA Annual Meeting

Traditional lending (7a/504) saw 43% increase year-over-year; 7(a) dollar amount up 69%; 504 dollar amount up 28% with loan approvals up 27%

Release Date: December 13, 2021               
Release Number: 22-03                                    

BOSTON – The Massachusetts District Office held its’ Annual Meeting virtually on Friday, December 10th and announced the 2021 Lender Awards to highlight SBA lending activity for federal fiscal year 2021. “Collectively, including 7(a), 504 and microloans, the SBA with the help of over 113 different lenders, supported capital to 1,533 small businesses for $970.47 million in Massachusetts,” said Robert H. Nelson, SBA Massachusetts District Director.  “We thank all of our partners and friends for working with the SBA to ensure small businesses get the access to capital they need to start, grow, expand and recover.” 

2021 SBA Massachusetts Lender Awards:

Greylock Federal Credit Union approved 10 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $437,000 in Western Massachusetts.  

  • #1 Western MA SBA 7(a) Lender
  • #1 Lender to Rural Businesses

Granite State Development Corporation approved 35 SBA 504 loans totaling $17,198,000 in Western Massachusetts; Statewide - Granite State approved 105 SBA 504 loans totaling $57,828,000. 

  • #1 Western MA 504/CDC Lender

Greenfield Savings Bank approved 12 SBA 504 3rd Party loans totaling $2,809,972 in Western Massachusetts.

  • #1 Western MA 504/CDC 3rd Party Lender

St. Mary's Credit Union approved 34 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $2,898,200 with 47% made to the construction industry.  St. Mary’s Credit Union also remained the only credit union in the top 10 statewide for 7(a) loan approvals.  

  • # 1 Lender to Construction
  • Credit Union of the Year

Avidia Bank approved 12 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $6,171,500 with 40% of loans made to manufacturers.

  • # 1 Lender to Manufacturers

Leader Bank approved 53 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $6,276,400 with 62% made to the retail trade industry.

  • #1 Lender to Retail Industry
  • CFI Lender of the Year

Northern Bank and Trust Company approved 11 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $3,327,100 with 36% of loans made to restaurants.

  • # 1 Lender to Restaurants

Cape Cod Five Cents approved 16 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $2,504,600 with 50% of loans made to women owned businesses.

  • # 1 Lender to Women Entrepreneurs

North Shore Bank approved 15 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $3,801,000 with 20% made to veteran owned businesses.

  • # 1 Lender to Veteran Entrepreneurs

Rockland Trust approved 32 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $16,405,500 with 41% made to minority owned businesses. 

  • # 1 Lender to Minority Entrepreneurs

Atlantic Capital Bank approved 14 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $16,051,000 with 85% made to new businesses.

  • #1 Lender to New Businesses

Bay Colony Development Corporation approved 128 SBA 504 loans totaling $79,157,000 statewide.

  • #1 504 CDC by Loan Approvals & Dollars

Common Capital approved 26 microloans totaling $693,319, representing 36% of all microloans approved in the state.

  • # 1 Micro Lender of the Year

Live Oak Banking Company approved 47 7(a) loans totaling $70,248,000 – the most by dollar amount statewide.  In 2020, Live Oak approved 16 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $18,187,000; This year’s activity increased by over 270% in dollar amount and 193% in the number of approvals.  

  • Most Improved 7(a) Lender of the Year
  • #1 7(a) Lender by Dollar Amount

Eastern Bank approved 185 SBA 7(a) loans, 16.74% of all SBA 7(a) loans made in the state, totaling $35,737,300.  Eastern Bank also approved 30 SBA 504 Third Party Loans totaling $31,161,805.

  • #1 7(a) Lender by Loan Approvals
  • #1 504 3rd Party Lender of the Year by Approvals & Dollars
  • Lender of the Year for Job Creation and Retention

WHERE CAN I GET HELP?

Please direct all other inquiries and questions to our District Office email at:

MassachusettsDO@sba.gov

FREE and confidential counseling services are available across the Commonwealth. 

 

Virtual education, training and networking sessions are happening daily.

 

Please schedule a virtual session with any of our Resource Partners below...


Resource Partner Network

MSBDC

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Staff are working remotely and can be reached via email or telephone. MSBDC is committed to supporting entrepreneurs during these very challenging times.

Request for Counseling

MSBDC advisors can assist businesses with disaster loan applications.

If you are not currently a client and would like to speak with a counselor, please find your region and reach out to the REGIONAL OFFICE SERVING YOU.

Berkshire Regional Office
33 Dunham Mall, Suite 103
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-499-0933 | Fax: 413-499-3005
www.msbdc.org/berkshire

Central Regional Office
Clark University
The Carriage House, 125 Woodland Street
Worcester, MA 01610
508-793-7615 | Fax: 508-793-8890
www.clarku.edu/offices/sbdc

Northeast Regional Office  (SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNSELOR)
Salem State University
121 Loring Avenue, Suite 310
Salem, MA 01970
978-542-6343 | Fax: 978-542-6345
www.salemstate.edu/sbdc

Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Scibelli Enterprise Center
1 Federal Street, Building 1
Springfield, MA 01105
413-545-6303 | Fax: 413-737-2312
https://www.massptac.org

Southeast Regional Office
200 Pocasset Street
Fall River, MA 02721
508-673-9783 | Fax: 508-674-1929
www.msbdc.org/semass

Western Regional Office
Scibelli Enterprise Center
One Federal Street, Building 101
Springfield, MA 01105-1160
413-577-1768 | Fax: 413-737-2312
www.msbdc.org/wmass

 


SCORE

 

Request for Counseling

Counseling Sessions with BOSTON SCORE CHAPTER:
If you want to speak with a counselor, SCORE is doing tele-consults. Just pick a date and time to schedule a session and enter your contact info, mentors are doing sessions by phone and Zoom video app. 

Reach out to other SCORE CHAPTERS throughout the state below.

SCORE Boston Chapter

SCORE Worcester Chapter


SCORE Northeastern Massachusetts Chapter


SCORE Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter


SCORE Western Massachusetts Chapter


SCORE Cape Cod Chapter


SCORE Rhode Island (Serving Fall River, New Bedford)

 


CWE

 


Eastern Massachusetts Center - Boston
44 School St., Suite 200
Boston, MA 02108
info.EasternMA@cweonline.org

Central Massachusetts Center - Westborough
69 Milk St., Ste. 217
Westborough, MA 01581
info.CentralMA@cweonline.org

Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE)
132 George M. Cohan Blvd.
Providence, RI 02903
info.VBOC@cweonline.org


Disclaimer: The SBA does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and does not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.  All programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.