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Dec. 12, 2011
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Maria Kardon or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
Regional small businesses, lenders attend SBA workshop at MRPC
ST. JAMES—Regional small businesses and lenders participated in a Small Business Administration workshop featuring the SBA 504 loan program and international trade opportunities Nov. 30, 2011, at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) in St. James.
Information was provided on exporting opportunities for new businesses, new SBA regulations effective Oct. 1, 2011 and the new refinance program offered by SBA.
Approximately 20 small business representatives and entrepreneurs participated in the free workshop. The SBA St. Louis office provided the workshop with MRPC and Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC) serving as hosts.
Ann Pardalos with Missouri Department of Economic Development – International Trade & Investment informed participants of state services offered to small businesses, opportunities in exporting and the Missouri State Trade & Export Promotion=Unlimited Possibilities, or MO.STEP=UP program.
The MO.STEP=UP program offers small businesses grant opportunities to fund international activities that further the importance of exporting in the state. Eligible activities include: Foreign trade shows, foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, website translation, international marketing media, export training and other export promotion initiatives.
Bob Newman with the U.S. Small Business Administration provided an overview of the SBA as well as an overview of the federal government’s National Export Initiative.
Paul Palazzolo presented on the U.S. foreign commercial service and its programs. Others presenting were Larry Cresswell on SBA’s domestic finance programs and John Blum on SBA’s international finance programs.
Keith Strassner and Robbie Davis from Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Small Business and Technology Development Center also gave a presentation regarding services offered to assist small businesses.
Additional representatives were present from the following agencies: SBA, U.S. Foreign Commercial Services, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Small Business and Technology Development Center, SCORE Association and MRDC.
MRDC, an SBA certified development company, packages SBA 504 and 7a loan applications. SBA provides long-term, fixed-interest loans to help finance business start-ups and expansions that are creating and/or retaining jobs. The program works in cooperation with banks to induce private lenders to participate in business loans.
The MRDC board is also responsible for reviewing and making loans through local revolving loan funds, owned by MRPC. Persons needing more information on RLF, IRP and SBA loans or on the workshop presentation should contact Maria Kardon at (573) 265-2993 or email at mkardon@meramecregion.org.
Ann Pardalos, Missouri Department of Economic Development – International Trade & Investment, far left, highlighted services offered to small businesses, opportunities in exporting and the MO.STEP=UP program.
Bob Newman, U.S. Small Business Administration, provided an overview of the SBA during the workshop.
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