1. U.S. Small Business Administration Programs & Services
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2. SBA Services to Small Business: the 3 Cs
Counseling and Training
Capital
Contracting with the US Government

3. COUNSELING & TRAINING

4. SBA and its partners: Here to Help
Small Business Development Centers
Free and Confidential Business Advising in locations throughout the U.S.
Maine--
New Hampshire–
Vermont–
SCORE (Counselors to America’s Small Business)
Free business mentoring at Chapters across U.S.
Low, or no-cost classes
Downloadable business plan templates, cash flow samples, etc.
On-line Counseling
Webinars on various topics

5. Partners continued Women’s Business Centers
Maine-- counseling-development/womens-business-center/southern- maine-womens-business-program/
New Hampshire--
Vermont– Vermont/tabid/288/Default.aspx

6. Veteran Business Outreach Center of New England
In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, VBOC equips veteran and active duty service members and their families with the resources to help them start and run their businesses.  VBOC of New England serves veterans in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.  

7. Online Resources – SBA website
or or
Easy access to info on major SBA programs (Counseling and Training, Loans & Grants, Contracting, etc)
Enhanced search functionality
“SBA Direct” – customized information based on business type, geography and other needs
Free Online Training

10. CAPITAL ACCESS

11. What is Capital?
In the simplest terms, Capital is the money needed to start and run a business. It can be in the form of cash loans, grants, and/or money that owners/investors give the company, or it can be in the form of ‘property’ that has a value to the business and can be sold if needed to create cash.
Lack of capital is what can stop a business from continuing day-to-day operations or growing as needed.

12. If you are asking someone to provide your business with Capital, have these ready …
For you personally:
Credit score – Know what’s in your credit report
Collateral list -What do you have of value that can be sold to pay back a loan if needed
Your Personal Financial Statement - A detailed list of what you own, what you owe, and your household income vs. your household expenses
For the business:
A logical plan for the business
Evidence that cash flow will support the business AND loan repayment.
Proof that the numbers make sense.
Owner investment

13. SBA may be able to help if you run into a snag with your loan request...
Some of the reasons a lender would bring in the SBA for a guarantee:
Risky Industry
Inadequate owner investment
Start-up or young company
Inadequate collateral
Longer repayment term required
Lender has taken losses on similar loans
Lender has a high number of similar loans

14. General components of SBA financing
Full amortization – Loan is paid off at the end of the term (no balloon payment)
Capped interest rates
Terms to suit both use and business cash flow
Guaranty fee on some programs
Personal loan guaranties required- Also typically required by lenders

15. What’s next?
Meet with a business advisor to help you determine the best capital plan for your business.
Meet with an attorney and an accountant to make sure your ducks are in a row…
Count your money and prepare your package.
Meet with the appropriate capital group (lender, grantor, rich uncle).

16. with the Federal Government
CONTRACTING
with the Federal Government

17. Government Contracting
The U.S. government is the world’s largest buyer of products and services.
In 2015, it purchased over $400 billion dollars in products and services.
Government-Wide Small Business Contracting Goals:
23 Percent
To Small Businesses in general
5 Percent
To Small Disadvantaged Businesses
To Women Owned Small Businesses
3 Percent
To HubZone Businesses
To Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses

18. SBA’s Role & Goal in Government Contracting
Ensuring small businesses receive a fair share of contracts through:
Prime Contracting
Subcontracting
Protests and Appeals
SBA Certification Programs
Surety Bond Guaranty Program
Workshops, matchmakers, and counseling by SBA district offices and resource partners

19. SBA Certification Programs

20. 8(a) Business Development Certification Program
Provides a broad scope of training and assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms.
Must be in business for at least two years with a product or service that the federal government procures.
HUBZone: (Historically Underutilized Business Zones)
Provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed census tract areas.
Visit for more information. 20

21. Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program
Program allows contracting officers to set aside specific contracting opportunities for certified WOSBs, and will help federal agencies achieve the existing statutory goal that 5% of federal contracting dollars are awarded to WOSB’s.
Specific Industrial and Commercial Sectors
Some examples are:
Residential building construction
Building equipment and finishing contractors
Motion picture and video industries
Automotive repair and maintenance
And many more…
For more information, visit

22. SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program
for Small Businesses

23. SBA provides the Surety company a guarantee of 80% or 90%, reducing the Surety’s liability for each bond. This allows the Surety to issue bonds to businesses that would not otherwise qualify:
Start-ups and firms in business less than 3 years
Firms with limited financial resources (cash, working capital, net worth)
Firms with recent losses
Firms with limited track record in prior completed job size
Firms with no prior public works/bonded work experience
Firms wishing to increase current bond limits
Firms with some credit issues

24. Thank you! Bill Card, Economic Development Specialist (Maine)
Rachael Roderick, Business Opportunity Specialist (NH)
(603)  
Chris Herriman, Economic Development Specialist (VT)
(802) ext. 206