SBA Update
SBA Calls Centralized Loan Processing a Success—Seventeen months ago in Sacramento, Calif., the SBA piloted a centralized loan processing operation of its Certified Development Company (504) loan program. The goal was to allow the agency to process more loans with fewer staff in less time.

Today the agency is calling the effort a success. As of Aug. 31, the 504 Sacramento Processing Center has processed more than 3,284 loan applications and approved more than $1 billion, with an average processing time of about two days. The original goal was six days.

The pilot began by centralizing the processing operations of three district offices. Since then, the SBA has added the work from 80 district and branch offices to the processing center.

The 504 loan program is experiencing a record-breaking year for loan volume, with 7,449 small business loans worth $3.57 billion approved to date in the current fiscal year.

Report Shows Increase in Small Business Numbers
According to a report released by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, the number of small businesses rose in 2003. According to Small Business Indicators 2003, an estimated 572,900 employer firms were created in 2003, and 554,800 terminated. The net result was an increase of 18,100 firms. At the same time, non-incorporated self-employed businesses rose by 369,000, and proprietors’ income was up 6.2 percent over 2002. Corporate profits rose by 18.3 percent.

The report notes several factors that portend continued growth among small businesses, including banks relaxing lending standards. Several challenges remain obstacles to expansion, including rising health insurance.

SCORE Moves Popular Pre-Business Seminar
SCORE has moved is monthly pre-business seminar to Kaufman Foundation Conference Center. The first seminar scheduled for the new location will be held on October 9.

The seminar, held on the second Saturday of each month, is designed to help new and existing small businesses gain the knowledge they need to succeed.

The full-day seminar begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The nominal fee includes a 100-page financial and planning workbook and lunch.

For more information or to make reservations, call (816) 235-6675.

Former Area Entrepreneurial Professor Publishes Book
Dr. Patricia Greene, currently the dean of the undergraduate school at Babson College in Boston has collaborated with four other academics to write “Clearing the Hurdles: Women Building High Growth.”

Greene is the former Ewing Marion Kauffman/Missouri Chair in Entrepreneurial Leadership at UMKC.

The team spent five years researching the book, which asserts that although one in 11 U.S. women is an entrepreneur with a 50 percent or greater ownership in their companies, they receive only 5 percent of all venture capital. This, the book finds, is the single biggest reason that larger numbers of women have not succeeded in growing large, profitable businesses. The book explores the roots and nature of the misconceptions, stereotypes and challenges women encounter in growing businesses. The authors also offer practical explanations and advice to help entrepreneurs overcome specific resource hurdles.

Local Chamber Wins Award
The Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce has been selected as a finalist for the Award of Excellence from American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).

The award recognizes excellence in financial performance, member programs, internal operations and organizational mission. The Lee’s Summit Chamber was chosen from a field of 199 participating chambers.

Chambers recognized as finalists scored at or above the national average in net gain in new members, net gain in dollars and retention of members.

Grant Funds Available for Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
The MARC Solid Waste Management District is requesting proposals for its 2005 District Grant program. Each year the district awards funds to local governments, not-for-profits, businesses, schools and other entities for projects that promote waste reduction, reuse or recycling. Funds can only be awarded for projects that divert waste in Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties.

Funds may be used for various programs, including education, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, collection and processing, research and development, and market development for products made with diverted materials.

Prospective applicants may submit an informal, one- to two-page pre-proposal to the MARC offices by noon on December 2. A review committee will review the proposals and offer suggestions for improving project quality. Final grant applications are due at 4 p.m. on January 18, with awards to be made in March.

Olathe Chamber Hires New Exec
Laura Baldwin has joined the staff of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce as director of sales and marketing.

Baldwin will sell advertising and uplinks on the chamber’s Web sites and sponsorships for chamber events, NAIA national championships and other programs and activities. She will also help create co-branding affinity programs with chamber members.

UMKC Honors Entrepreneurs
UMKC’s Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration will host its 19th annual Entrepreneur of the Year Dinner on Nov. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Proceeds benefit the Bloch School’s programs in entrepreneurship.

Several entrepreneurs will be honored at the dinner. Mark Goldston, founder of United Online, has been selected as the International Entrepreneur of the Year; Hugh Zimmer, founder of the Zimmer Companies, as Regional Entrepreneur of the Year; and Fred and Shirley Pryor as recipients of the John and Marion Kreamer Award for Entrepreneurship in Volunteer Community Service.

The family of Robert Bernstein, of Berstein-Rein Advertising, are this year’s dinner chairs.

For ticket information, call (816) 235-2316.

Jackson County Bar Association Announces Diversity Awards
The Jackson County Bar Association has announced the recipients of its first Pyramid of Diversity Awards. The award recognizes Kansas City area law firms and corporate law departments that have excelled in their efforts to enhance diversity.

Sherman, Taff & Bangert P.C. will be presented with the award for small law firms. Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP will receive the honor for large firms.

In addition, Great Plains Energy and Sprint will be honored for medium and large legal departments.

The awards will be presented at the organization’s annual Kit Carson Roque Scholarship Banquet on Sept. 18 at the Mariott on the Plaza.