Thus far - all that I have heard of is: 1) $15 billion for the SBA's loan guarantee program. The SBA is now allowed to increase its guarantee rate to 90% of loan amount. Also, they will reduce fees for these loans and programs to both the borrower and lender. All designed to free the flow of lending. 2) Stimulus funding - some funding is designated to small businesses. Thus, competitive bidding by small businesses in their locale is allowed. I hope that we will soon see - either the Fed or State governments - reduce taxes on small businesses - especailly those that hire and retain employees. That is all that I have heard of. Hopefully others can shead light on more programs.

Thus far - all that I have heard of is: 1) $15 billion for the SBA's loan guarantee program. The SBA is now allowed to increase its guarantee rate to 90% of loan amount. Also, they will reduce fees for these loans and programs to both the borrower and lender. All designed to free the flow of lending. 2) Stimulus funding - some funding is designated to small businesses. Thus, competitive bidding by small businesses in their locale is allowed. I hope that we will soon see - either the Fed or State governments - reduce taxes on small businesses - especailly those that hire and retain employees. That is all that I have heard of. Hopefully others can shead light on more programs.

These last few months, I fell under the spell that 'SBA backed loans', stimulus package aid and all of the other busy work that we have been bombarded with lately.  The 'hope' of moving out of the financial mess that my small business has come upon is nothing I have encountered in the last 20 years.    So I gathered up all the information needed, focused in on how financial aid would help me get through 3months, 6 months, 1 year, 4 years and beyond and went to my SBA backed Blankster-opps I mean Banker...expecting 'not a hand out', not even a hand up...just an agreement that I have the creditability and the drive to get my business to the other side....   Let me save some of you the time with the loan process...too much debt, too little cash flow..., so after 20 years, I walked out and I had forgotten to make a plan B..because the 'hope' I put to much into is not going to happen...   I don't even know how not to work my business, 24/7 with 12 employees/w kids and on and on.  Plan B is not coming to me very easily..Maybe by Monday..          

Many small to medium size business owners are feeling the credit pinch because their bank has either severly limited or even capped their credit lines.  Because the busines owner always looked to their bank for micro-loans to pay taxes, meet payroll, buy inventory, pay taxes, etc, they are now aware of sources of funds that are available from non-bank sources.  These are non-institutional sources that make funds available for equipment, inventory, supplies, working capital, etc.  Many small business owners have a means of accelerating cashflow with a little know or little used credit facility ... invoice factoring.  It is a credit facility that is not based on the business owners credit or their business financials.  It is a good credit facility when the bank has to say no.  It will get invoices paid in 24-48 hours and does not add debt to the bottom line of the business.  It is expandable and will grow with the business.  Construction industry can benefit along with all businesses that have customers that are other businesses where invoices have been proffered and are waiting 30, 45, 60+ days to get paid.  The factors that offer this type financing understand the small business owners plight and are sensitive to the cash flow challenges of small business owners.  So, look beyond the banks for your loans or credit lines.   Hope you find this to be of help.   www.cashxchangegroup

These last few months, I fell under the spell that 'SBA backed loans', stimulus package aid and all of the other busy work that we have been bombarded with lately.  The 'hope' of moving out of the financial mess that my small business has come upon is nothing I have encountered in the last 20 years.    So I gathered up all the information needed, focused in on how financial aid would help me get through 3months, 6 months, 1 year, 4 years and beyond and went to my SBA backed Blankster-opps I mean Banker...expecting 'not a hand out', not even a hand up...just an agreement that I have the creditability and the drive to get my business to the other side....   Let me save some of you the time with the loan process...too much debt, too little cash flow..., so after 20 years, I walked out and I had forgotten to make a plan B..because the 'hope' I put to much into is not going to happen...   I don't even know how not to work my business, 24/7 with 12 employees/w kids and on and on.  Plan B is not coming to me very easily..Maybe by Monday..          

Many small to medium size business owners are feeling the credit pinch because their bank has either severly limited or even capped their credit lines.  Because the busines owner always looked to their bank for micro-loans to pay taxes, meet payroll, buy inventory, pay taxes, etc, they are now aware of sources of funds that are available from non-bank sources.  These are non-institutional sources that make funds available for equipment, inventory, supplies, working capital, etc.  Many small business owners have a means of accelerating cashflow with a little know or little used credit facility ... invoice factoring.  It is a credit facility that is not based on the business owners credit or their business financials.  It is a good credit facility when the bank has to say no.  It will get invoices paid in 24-48 hours and does not add debt to the bottom line of the business.  It is expandable and will grow with the business.  Construction industry can benefit along with all businesses that have customers that are other businesses where invoices have been proffered and are waiting 30, 45, 60+ days to get paid.  The factors that offer this type financing understand the small business owners plight and are sensitive to the cash flow challenges of small business owners.  So, look beyond the banks for your loans or credit lines.   Hope you find this to be of help.   www.cashxchangegroup

Here is a great suggestion for the SBA and Banks that are in the position of loanig funds under the ARC funding-give business owners a 3 page form to fill out and let the funds flow...we have done it before when the banking system was about to fail...we are running out of time and faith...

Here is a great suggestion for the SBA and Banks that are in the position of loanig funds under the ARC funding-give business owners a 3 page form to fill out and let the funds flow...we have done it before when the banking system was about to fail...we are running out of time and faith...

I just wrote a blog entry on this very topic this morning. The gist of it is that a whole lot of the assistance that small businesses will get will be in the form of business being generated, not in loans. Here's part of that post: It hit the Orange County paper yesterday. And it is coming to yours soon. 'It' is columns and columns of listings of Stimulus Projects. They are real. And they mean millions upon millions of dollars for your community. Yes, most of them are construction related projects. But every construction project needs tremendous support networks. They need equipment, office supplies, transportation, food, temporary workers, recruiters, architects, painters, accounting, communication, website development, uniforms and clothing ... even massage therapists! I just cannot imagine a field that is not impacted by this massive influx of working capital. Your business will be impacted too, if only by second hand uses of the money. It may not happen this week. But it IS coming. Be ready now. It is absolutely tragic that many long term small businesses just can't hold long enough to take advantage of any upturn in business. One thing I can recommend is that you not stop at talking with one banker. Talk with a slew of them. I did an experiment a few years ago, taking exactly the same business plan to four different banks. Three of those banks turned it down flat. But ONE TOOK IT. It wasn't for a huge amount of money. Mostly I wanted to be able to demonstrate how different banks look at different companies, well, differently. And they do. Also look for more creative financing. Not just banks. Go to your local Credit Union -- they have made HUGE strides in lending to small business. Approach your local angel funding group, especially if you can come up with a new idea for your business. See if funding programs are available if you hire or train minorities. You have got to be a very creative, resourceful person to have made it this long. The odds are on your side. MaryAnnBusiness Plan MasterThe Business Plan for a Tough Economy

I just wrote a blog entry on this very topic this morning. The gist of it is that a whole lot of the assistance that small businesses will get will be in the form of business being generated, not in loans. Here's part of that post: It hit the Orange County paper yesterday. And it is coming to yours soon. 'It' is columns and columns of listings of Stimulus Projects. They are real. And they mean millions upon millions of dollars for your community. Yes, most of them are construction related projects. But every construction project needs tremendous support networks. They need equipment, office supplies, transportation, food, temporary workers, recruiters, architects, painters, accounting, communication, website development, uniforms and clothing ... even massage therapists! I just cannot imagine a field that is not impacted by this massive influx of working capital. Your business will be impacted too, if only by second hand uses of the money. It may not happen this week. But it IS coming. Be ready now. It is absolutely tragic that many long term small businesses just can't hold long enough to take advantage of any upturn in business. One thing I can recommend is that you not stop at talking with one banker. Talk with a slew of them. I did an experiment a few years ago, taking exactly the same business plan to four different banks. Three of those banks turned it down flat. But ONE TOOK IT. It wasn't for a huge amount of money. Mostly I wanted to be able to demonstrate how different banks look at different companies, well, differently. And they do. Also look for more creative financing. Not just banks. Go to your local Credit Union -- they have made HUGE strides in lending to small business. Approach your local angel funding group, especially if you can come up with a new idea for your business. See if funding programs are available if you hire or train minorities. You have got to be a very creative, resourceful person to have made it this long. The odds are on your side. MaryAnnBusiness Plan MasterThe Business Plan for a Tough Economy