New Michigan Farm Market & Ag Tourism Directory is now available

LANSING- Just in time for summer’s food and activity enjoyment, the 2010 Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism directory is now available.

"This statewide listing of farm markets, U-pick operations, cider mills and much more is the perfect pocket guide for those looking for farm fresh Michigan produce and specialty food products like jams, jellies, baked goods, ice cream, maple syrup and honey," said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). "The directory also helps locate family friendly activities down on the farm, such as hay rides, petting farms, fishing ponds, corn mazes, and riding stables."

The 2010 directory was created by the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri-Tourism Association (MI-FMAT) in partnership with Julian Vail, LLC and Farm Bureau Insurance. Copies of the directory are available free of charge at all Michigan Welcome Centers and at nearly 450 Farm Bureau Insurance agent offices across Michigan, as well as county Farm Bureau offices.

"Farm markets and agri-tourism are an important part of the agriculture industry in Michigan," said Jim Robinson, executive vice president of Farm Bureau Insurance. "As Michigan's Insurance Company, we are proud to support efforts that promote homegrown Michigan products. This directory is a guide to having fun on the farms and in the rural communities of our great state."

The directory has more farm market listings than last year's, features an alphabetical index, and has a regional tab design to help customers find the markets and products they are searching for. It also features 16 full-color pages and an availability chart showcasing when the various types of fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables produced are in season.

"The Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association is proud to provide this directory for our customers," said Steve Tennes, MI-FMAT board president and operator of The Country Mill in Charlotte. "Michigan farm marketers are gearing up for a terrific season, and look forward to welcoming visitors to their farms to share our high quality, locally grown food and agricultural products and unique on-farm experiences."

In addition to the printed directory, farm listings can be accessed via a searchable database on MI-FMAT's Web site at www.MichiganFarmFun.com. Links to the electronic directory are also accessible from MDA's agricultural tourism Web page at www.michigan.gov/agtourism, the Farm Bureau Insurance Web site at www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com, and the Michigan Farm Bureau Web site at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/.

For the Farm Bureau Insurance agent nearest you, visit http://www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/. For more information about MI-FMAT and its mission and services, visit http://www.michiganfarmfun.com/.

SBA AGREEMENT TO STIMULATE RURAL BUSINESS CREATION AND EXPANSION

HILLSBORO, Mo. - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Small Business (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills today announced that the two agencies have signed an agreement to encourage sustainable growth and development of rural small businesses. The announcement was made during the National Summit of Rural America, which gathered agricultural leaders, farmers, ranchers, community leaders, and residents of rural communities to share their vision and ideas that can help rebuild and revitalize rural America.

"The Obama Administration strongly supports efforts to develop new and existing businesses and this new partnership will help increase access to capital in rural communities which can spur business growth and job creation," Vilsack said. "USDA has many business programs designed to promote small business development, including direct and guaranteed loans and grant assistance and we look forward to partnering with the SBA in our business development and support efforts."

The agreement between the SBA and USDA is designed to reach out to people and places in rural areas and small communities with underserved financial needs. Prospective small businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans also are expected to benefit from this joint effort to encourage sustainable growth and development. USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Service will provide loan guarantees, loans and grants; the Small Business Administration will provide loan guarantees.

The MOU will remain in effect for three years. Under the agreement, USDA Rural Development and SBA will use their respective resources to provide small businesses in rural areas with loan guarantees and technical assistance to help build diverse and sustainable economies, reverse population decline, create and sustain jobs, and improve quality of life. The agreement is expected to:

• Improve opportunities for small businesses to start and grow;


• Improve coordination in the delivery and development of programs; and


• Increase the number of small business loans guaranteed by USDA and SBA.

"Small businesses and entrepreneurs are a key source of job creation and the foundation of local economies in rural communities across the country. Both SBA and USDA are committed
to bring our collective expertise, financial resources and experience to help start, grow and sustain rural businesses and promote entrepreneurship," Mills said. "This partnership represents the Obama Administration's ongoing commitment to working across our various agencies to increase economic opportunity for rural citizens."

Key goals of this partnership include strengthening marketing and outreach by enabling each Agency's field offices to advise potential small business borrowers of the other Agency's credit programs that may support all or a portion of the small business' financing needs. USDA Rural Development and SBA field offices will exchange promotional and reference materials, including brochures and training schedules, and will distribute the other Agency's information to its field network and its potential applicants when appropriate.

USDA and SBA will also encourage their networks of resource partners to refer rural businesses to the other Agency's resources, where appropriate. Rural Development's network includes National and State Rural Partnership Councils, State and sub-State Offices, and Appropriate Technology Transfer to Rural Areas. SBA's network includes Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Chapters, U.S. Export Assistance Centers, Veteran Business Outreach Centers and Women's Business Centers. By mutual agreement, USDA and SBA may identify pairings of State and district offices to explore mutual best practices available to serve clients.

The Small Business Administration works to assist and protect the interests of small business. SBA guarantees loans and provides business development assistance to small businesses. It administers its programs through district offices throughout the United States and provides additional services through its network of resource partners: the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), SCORE, U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC), Women's Business Centers (WBC), and Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and in 500 national, state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $134 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

President Obama Proclaims National Small Business Week Highlights Small Business Growth and Job Creation

WASHINGTON – Calling small business the backbone of the nation’s economy, President Barack Obama stressed his Administration’s commitment "to helping small businesses drive our economy toward recovery and long-term growth" in his proclamation of the week of May 23-29 as National Small Business Week.

The President’s proclamation was issued yesterday prior to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 47th annual observance of National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. (May 23-25). The event honors the nation’s most outstanding entrepreneurs, and features the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2010 from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
President Obama will meet with Small Business Week award winners at the White House Tuesday.

"Small business owners embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and strong work ethic that lie at the heart of the American dream. They are the backbone of our Nation's economy, they employ tens of millions of workers, and, in the past 15 years, they have created the majority of new private sector jobs. During Small Business Week, we reaffirm our support for America's small businesses and celebrate the proud tradition of private enterprise they represent.

"Our Nation is still emerging from one of the worst recessions in our history, and small businesses were among the hardest hit. From mom-and-pop stores to high tech start-ups, countless small businesses have been forced to lay off employees or shut their doors entirely. In these difficult times, we must do all we can to help these firms recover from the recession and put Americans back to work. Our Government cannot guarantee a company's success, but it can help create market conditions that allow small businesses to thrive.

"My Administration is committed to helping small businesses drive our economy toward recovery and long-term growth. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has supported billions of dollars in loans and Federal contracts for small businesses across the country. The Affordable Care Act makes it easier for small business owners to provide health insurance to their employees, and gives entrepreneurs the security they need to innovate and take risks. We have also enacted new tax cuts and tax credits for small firms. Still, we must do more to empower these companies.

"In this year's State of the Union address, I proposed creating a $30 billion lending fund to help increase the flow of credit to small businesses, and I call on the Congress to pass this legislation quickly. My Administration is also working to extend and enhance Small Business Administration programs that have helped small business owners acquire loans and hire workers.

"This week, we celebrate the role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in our national life. They are the engine of our prosperity and a proud reflection of our character. A healthy small business sector will give us vibrant communities, cutting edge technology, and an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century."

The full text of the President’s National Small Business Week proclamation can be found at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-small-business-week
National Small Business Week 2010 will begin with two-and-a-half days of events in Washington, D.C., at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where more than 100 outstanding business owners from across the country will be recognized. In addition to the State Small Business Persons of the Year, men and women involved in disaster recovery, government contracting, small business champions as well as SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development will be honored.

A Keynote Address by SBA Administrator Karen Mills will highlight Monday morning’s agenda followed by Mills hosting a Town Hall Meeting entitled Small Business: Driving America’s Economy. Also featured are a series of executive panel forums on Innovation, Exporting and Social Media.

Among the featured speakers confirmed are The Honorable Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation. A list of other outstanding speakers including prominent business leaders, CEOs and politicos, are listed with the full agenda at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/.

The public can "attend" Small Business Week events virtually, via the SBA’s streaming video on the Web at http://www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com/.

Editors – please note: A complete list of all award winners also is available on the National Small Business Week Web site at
http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/ and click on Winners.

Small Business Week 2010 sponsors and cosponsors include: Sam’s Club, Visa, Ford, ADP, Raytheon, Cbeyond, UPS, Intuit, Google, eBay, AT&T, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, D&B, Verio, Nomadic Display, ASBDC, NADCO, NAGGL, NASE, NSBA, WIPP and SCORE.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov. Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2010

IRS Open House for Small Business May 15th

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service will host a special nationwide Open House on Saturday May 15 to help small businesses and individuals solve tax problems.

Approximately 200 IRS offices, at least one in every state, will be open May 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. IRS staff will be available on site or by telephone to help taxpayers work through their problems and walk out with solutions.

“Our goal is to resolve issues on the spot so small businesses and individuals can put any issues they have with the IRS behind them,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “If you have a problem filing or paying your taxes or resolving a tough tax issue, we encourage you to come in and work with us.”

IRS locations will be equipped to handle issues involving notices and payments, return preparation, audits and a variety of other issues. At a previous IRS Open House on March 27, approximately two-thirds of taxpayers requested and received assistance with payments and notices.

So, for example, a taxpayer who cannot pay a tax balance due can discuss with an IRS professional whether an installment agreement is appropriate and, if so, fill out the paperwork then and there. Assistance with offers-in-compromise will also be available. Likewise, a taxpayer struggling to complete a certain IRS form or schedule can work directly with IRS staff to get the job done.

IRS Open House Locations: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=220631,00.html

Each office will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. local time.

Detroit: 477 Michigan Ave.Detroit, MI 48226

Flint: 815 S. SaginawFlint, MI 48502

Grand Rapids: 3251 N. Evergreen Dr. N.E.Grand Rapids, MI 49525

FastTrac registration has been extended until April 30, 2010.

FastTrac registration has been extended until April 30, 2010.

Intensive 6-week program designed to test your business idea, broaden your understanding of business, plan your financial needs to avoid cash flow problems, structure your business operations for efficiency, and develop entrepreneurial skills through a practical, hands-on approach. Participants will work on their own business ideas or ventures throughout the program.

Total Cost $50.00Thanks to scholarships provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Lenawee Economic Development Corporation.

PLEASE CALL THE MICHIGAN SMALL BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT 734-547-9170 to register.

Program Details:
Tuesday’s, Beginning May 4, 8:30-3:00 p.m., (ends June 15), Location: Lenawee Economic Development Corporation5285 W. US-223Adrian, MI 49221Lower Level (Lunch provided)Class size is limited.

This program is sponsored by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Lenawee Economic Development Corporation.

LOCAL CONTACTS: Shannon Beeham, Intake Counselor, MI-SBTDC (734) 547-9170
Catherine Abad, Senior Business Consultant, MI-SBTDC (517) 263-4700 OR (517) 902-3361

Program Facilitators:
Catherine J. Abad, Senior Business ConsultantCharles Penner, Regional DirectorRon Stevens, Senior Business Consultant

April 16th Adrian FastTrac Orientation

The Fast Trac® Orientation is required to register for the Fast Trac® Courses in Lenawee, Hillsdale, and Jackson Counties. This half day session will orient you to the Fast Trac® program and what commitment will be required of you as the entrepreneur. At this session you will spend time with an advisor who will help you select, and enroll in the Fast Trac® entrepreneurial program best suited for you and your business.

There's no substitute for experience. Nothing proves better than Fast Trac® a program facilitated by entrepreneurs who are not only knowledgeable but have a proven ability to connect with people. They create an environment that encourages you to interact with other entrepreneurs - gaining insight from their experiences and establishing relationships.

Date: April 16th from 8:30am to 1:00pm

Speaker(s): MI-SBTDC Business Counselors

Co-Sponsor(s): LEDC & MEDC

Fee: Free (while the event is free please bring $50 to enroll in the six week program)

Location: LEDC 5285 W. US-223, Suite A Adrian, MI 49221

Experience and Expertise to Help You Grow:

There's no substitute for experience. Nothing proves better than Fast Trac® a program facilitated by entrepreneurs who are not only knowledgeable but have a proven ability to connect with people. They create an environment that encourages you to interact with other entrepreneurs - gaining insight from their experiences and establishing relationships.

Owning your own business is the American dream. Building it to withstand the test of time requires a unique set of tools. That's where Fast Trac® makes a difference by providing the opportunity to:

-Objectively evaluate your concept and plans for moving forward
-Develop a working knowledge of business fundamentals
-Begin building an infrastructure for your business operations and processes
-Explore risk and success factors in the marketplace
-Understand how to access human, financial and business resources
-Network with entrepreneurs and professionals
-Learn how to respond to changes that can impact your business Build an actionable business plan you can execute.

When you walk out the door, you will have a well-formulated plan for moving forward that is custom-made by you and one you believe in and can execute. The goals of the Fast Trac® program are for you to:

-Fully analyze your business concept by examining in depth:
-Your role as an entrepreneur
-How your product or service meets market needs
-The financial feasibility of your venture

Producing a full and actionable Business Plan that includes:
-Cash Flow
-Effective Structure of your management team
-Realistic marketing and sales plan
-Planning your product or service fulfillment Seeking and getting investment in your business.

For more information on Fast Trac® training or any MI-SBTDC workshop please visit our Calendar of Training on our main website http://www.misbtdc.net/events.aspx or email our office, sbtdc@wccnet.edu.

You're Invited to the Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Join us this year for the state's premier awards event Michigan Celebrates Small Business.
Thursday, the twenty-ninth of April, two thousand and ten at the Lansing Center, 333 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48993.

Local business owners, entrepreneurs, and supporters of small business from across the state will celebrate with the reward recipients at the annual dinner and awards program. Governor Jennifer Granholm will open the awards dinner with a keynote address to the expected 1,000 guests.

Hors d'oeuvres begin at five o'clock with dinner and awards presentation starting promptly at seven in the evening.

R.S.V.P. by visiting www.MichiganCelebrates.biz or by calling 800.362.5461

Please have the names of the individuals attending from your organization as well as your credit card information available. Table discounts are available.

Special seating requests, such as sitting with individuals outside of your organization or with an award winner, must be made no later than Monday, April 12, 2010.

We Would Like to Thank:


The U.S. Small Business Administration,
Small Business Association of Michigan,
Michigan Economic Development Corporation,
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center,
and the Edward Lowe Foundation would like to thank the 2010 Underwriters:

PNC
Clark Hill
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Certified Development Corporation
Accident Fund
Comcast Business Class
Comcast Spotlight
Dynamic Edge, Inc.