Roving Pittsburgher Review
Economics of Entrepreneurialism, Wealth & Globalization
by Dean Quinn and Al Levine
On March 30, 2012 Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Congressman Mike Doyle and the Allegheny County Minority Women Business Development Enterprise held The Entrepreurialism and Globalization Symposium and PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com was out in full force.
Hosanna House was packed with entrepreneurs, public servants, political figures and faith based funding organizations.
Among the hi-lights of the main speakers were Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Congressman Mike Doyle, Dr. Howard Slaughter of CEED, Charlie Batch of the Best of the Batch Foundation and of course, Pittsburgh Steeler. There were also speakers from the US Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration in Washington DC and the Save a Lot, Corporation.
There were many break off sessions, one of which I attended CEED (Christian Evangelistic Economic Development). They give assistance to entrepreneurs starting small businesses. They started out helping minorities, immigrants, and refugees. Now they have expanded to the population of southwestern Pa. The services they provide are free of charge. Some services include: creating a business plan, technical assistance, registration assistance, help creating a brand, review leases. CEED has consultants that work with them. These consultants provide legal, marketing, accounting, web development. CEED can help buffer fees up to 50%.
CEED also has a loan program up to 10,000 at a 4-5% interest rate. Entrepreneurs can become clients and professionals can consult for CEED. CEED is willing to make a 3 to 5 year commitment, as long as you need help for your business to grow. I recommend any aspiring entrepreneur looking to start a new small business, or currently need help with a small business to contact CEED.
The Faith-Based Roundtable Discussion was held on the 2nd floor in the Event Center Auditorium of the Hosanna House with over 100 people in attendance. Cedric Grant was the first speaker. He is the Director of the Center for Faith-Based Neighbor Partnerships, US Department of Commerce. He explained how the Grants are not Faith-Based Grants and that his organization helps to cut through the red tape. Cedric explained the steps to applying for these grants.
Jerry Flavin, Small Business Adminstrator,Washingon, DC told us how the SBA backs the Loans that the Banks issue. There are a lot of rules and regulations to follow. There is a 7A Loan Program that the SBA will guarantee if you can qualify for it. The 504 Program Loans are for fixed assets like Buildings.
There are also Micro Loans with a Maximum limit of $50,000. Jerry also explained about Hub Zones for either URBAN or RURAL areas. Jerry said to apply to become an intermediary to call the Department of Labor and ask for Jacob Simmons or Kim Brown. Their number is 215.861.5201.
There are also Micro Loans with a Maximum limit of $50,000. Jerry also explained about Hub Zones for either URBAN or RURAL areas. Jerry said to apply to become an intermediary to call the Department of Labor and ask for Jacob Simmons or Kim Brown. Their number is 215.861.5201.
Willie C. Taylor, Regional Director, Economic Development Administration, US Department of Congress. 215.597.4603. Jerry brought up for main points:
1) Opportunity is an underutilized tool
2) Vehicles or Platforms to use for Business
3) Intermediaries to make Loans
4) Mission: help Stressed Communities
He close the Discussion by explaining how the Commerce Department was there to help. They will help in the Underserved Communities. He stressed that they can help. There are also many reasons that can trigger help to fund your Faith-Based Organizations.
Many thanks go to Dr. Slaughter the Hosanna House and all of the great speakers for putting on this Great Event.
1) Opportunity is an underutilized tool
2) Vehicles or Platforms to use for Business
3) Intermediaries to make Loans
4) Mission: help Stressed Communities
He close the Discussion by explaining how the Commerce Department was there to help. They will help in the Underserved Communities. He stressed that they can help. There are also many reasons that can trigger help to fund your Faith-Based Organizations.
Many thanks go to Dr. Slaughter the Hosanna House and all of the great speakers for putting on this Great Event.
Watch for video of Charlie Batch's presentation on the Best of the Batch Foundation at: http://pplmag.com on Roving Pittsburghers TV.
Al Levine, Better known as "The Talking Machine" is one of the hosts of Pittsburgh Sports Line on the Bethel Park Public Access Channel. He is also the
webmaster and "Pittsburgh Gaming Guru" at http://pittsburghgamingnews.com
and Community Relations and Development Director for PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com's upcoming
Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh on September 6, 2012.
Small business loans for women are also available for established entities that are struggling to put up with the risks.
ReplyDeleteThere are many challenges that such establishments need to overcome including liquidity of assets due to high rent and other modern financial constraints.
It might also be that the money might be injected to boost a dormant enterprise. Be it as it may, the monetary scale rises from the base amount of 1000 Dollars to about 5000 Dollars.
The sums are deemed potential to broaden the operations of the applicant’s business and create more outreach in its market niche.