2. Who We Are & What We Do: Supporting America’s Small Businesses
My goal as SBA’s regional administrator here in the Great Lakes region is to listen to our stakeholders, including you, to better understand how we can continue our great work, improve where we need to, and spread the word about the services and support we offer to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
It’s why I’m here today and as I do this, I’m listening to better understand how we can continue the great work that’s been done at the SBA and also improve where we need to so our support for small business starts, growth and job creation is appropriately allocated and delivered. I’m already hearing small businesses will benefit with easier access to funding and a more appropriately skilled workforce. And, the recent tax cuts are allowing small businesses to plan more effectively and reinvest in their companies, hiring more employees and raising wages. 
I am seeking feedback on ways we can enhance the agency’s efforts in both urban and rural communities, which are key to job creation and investments. I’m also looking to ensure we reach small towns and cities, as well as underserved audiences in all areas with an equal level and quality of assistance. And, for those small business owners who are already a bit established, I want to learn about what could help them better scale.
I appreciate this opportunity to share our message and look forward to your input as I go along.
May 31, 2018

3. Who We Are & What We Do
Mission: help entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed in business, serve as their advocates, and help restore communities after disasters
Serve 30M+ small businesses in America by providing:
Access to Capital
Access to Federal Contracting
Access to Counseling & Training
Long-term Disaster Recovery

4. What We Do: Access to Capital
Loan guaranty to banks; no direct loans to small businesses (exception: disaster loans)
7(a) loans up to $5M; any purpose
504 for Real Estate Acquisitions up to $5.5M
Microloans to start or grow; up to $50K; average: $13K
Export Loans up to $5M
Venture Capital for established companies and high-growth potential firms (SBIC Program)

5. Access to Capital: The Numbers
Local Loan Data
2014 South FL: 1,487 loans value: $796M
7(a): 1, : 271
2015 South FL: 2,172 loans value: $1.2B
7(a): 1, : 257
2016 South FL: 2,709 loans; Value: $1.3B
7(a): 2, : 303
2017 South FL: 2,868 loans; Value: $1.4B
7(a): 2,564, $1.12B 504: 304, $266.7M

6. Helping Businesses Start, Grow & Succeed: Contracting
Expand by selling your product and/or services to the government:
The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods & services in the world
A federal mandate set the goal of having 23 percent of federal contracts come from small businesses
In FY 2016, Uncle Sam awarded small businesses nearly $100 billion in federal contracts
SBA helps small businesses overcome market barriers and win federal contracts
Get certified at
Small businesses can benefit greatly with government contracts. For four years, the government has exceeded its goal of 23 percent of its contract spending going to small businesses. In FY 2016, nearly $100 billion was awarded to small businesses, supporting hundreds of thousands jobs and business expansion.
Small businesses are more easily competing for and winning these contracts because we are working to eliminate unnecessary paperwork, reduce regulations and cut red tape so a small business’ effort to grow and scale can be via contracts with the government.

7. Why Get Certified? Category Goal 2017 $B 2017 % 2016 $B 2016 % 2015 $B% $B % $B % $B % $B %
Small Business
23%
$105.7
23.80%
$99.70
24.40%
$90.70
25.70%
$91.70
24.90%
$83.10
23.40%
Small Disadvantaged Business 5%
$40.20
9.10%
$39.10
9.40%
$35.40
10.10%
$34.70
9.50%
$30.60
8.60%
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business 3%
$17.90
4.10%
$16.30
4.00%
$13.80
3.90%
$13.50
3.70%
$12.00
3.40%
Women Owned Small Business
$20.80
4.70%
$19.70
4.80%
$17.80
5.10%
$17.20
$15.40
4.30%
HUBZone
$7.30
1.70%
$6.90
$6.40
1.80%
$6.70
$6.20
Source: U.S. SBA News Release, May 23, 2018

8. What We Do: Innovation Meet Federal research & development needs
Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R&D funding
Stimulate technological innovation
Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged persons

9. What We Do: Innovation SBIR/STTR Programs
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A set-aside program for small business to engage in Federal R&D – with potential for commercialization
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
A sister set-aside program to facilitate cooperative R&D between small business concerns and U.S. research institutions – with potential for commercialization.
Milestone-Driven Award Process
Phase I | Feasibility Study or Prototype
~$150,000 and 6 months
Phase II | Full R&D Effort
~$1 million and 24 months
Phase III | Commercialization Effort
Private & Non-SBIR Allocated financing
SBIR/STTR
Success Stories
Qualcomm
Symantec
iRobot
Genzyme
Nimble Systems
NanoMech
Lift Labs
Adaptec
Ecovative Design
Children’s Progress Inc
JENTEK Sensors
SQUID
Participating Federal Agencies

10. What We Do: Disaster Recovery
Following major disasters, SBA is the primary source of Federal funds for long term recovery assistance.
Direct loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, non-profits to help w/ recovery of physical damage
Direct Loans for uncompensated & uninsured losses
Direct working capital loans to small businesses to cover their economic injury losses.
Terms up to 30 years & interest as low as > 2%
Terms & interest determined by ability to repay loan

11. Questions? Answers! THANK YOU! ALTHEA A. HARRIS
Assistant District Director for Marketing & Outreach, Area 1
U.S. Small Business Administration
51 SW 1st Avenue, 2nd floor
Miami, FL 33130