Vote for Claudia for the Small Business Influencer Award – and vote everyday! She’s number 10. Let’s keep her in the top ten!
- Support Letters for AB 285 – Take Action
- Micro Really Is THE Job Creator
- The Goodies – This week’s highlight includes free tuition for Economic Development 201-Business Credit Analysis for staff from non-profit 501c(3) organizations, courtesy of Citi. The training is September 9-13, 2013 in Orange County. Learn more and register.
Support Letters for AB 285
CAMEO sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 285 (Brown), a measure that requires the California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) to develop guidelines for implementing entrepreneurship and self-employment training programs. The bill is ready for the governor’s desk. We are asking that you write a letter to Governor Brown asking him to sign AB 285.
Micro Really Is THE Job Creator
I wanted to make sure that you saw this, because it’s that important. From 2003 to 2010, California micro-businesses (1 to 4 employees),
- created jobs every year; and
- created a net of 790,000 jobs.
Large businesses (those >500 employees) shed a net 292,000 jobs over this time period. This data refutes the propaganda put out by the California Chamber that their members are the job creators, and bills such as our Self Employment Assistance are “job killers”. The data supports our Do-It-Yourself Economy message. Please use this information when making your case for investments in the micro sector. Download the California Net Jobs by Firm Size spreadsheet by Small Business California’s Terry Bibbens (THANKS!) who was the inspiration for looking at the national data.
If you missed the press release last week, check out “CAMEO Reports Very Small Businesses Created 5.5 Million Jobs From 2004 to 2010 in the U.S.“
The Goodies
New opportunities for trainings, conference information, funding, scholarships, and other information that have crossed our desks since the last Must Know: I have posted a running tab of current Goodies on the CAMEO website that lists items that were in past emails. Check it out to make sure you’re not missing anything, like grants whose deadlines are still alive!
Member Kudos: Congratulations to Renaissance CEO, Sharon Miller, who received the World of Difference 100 Award from The International Alliance for Women (TIAW). In addition to recognition for Sharon’s leadership, it is also a testimony of Renaissance’s ongoing efforts and success in supporting women entrepreneurs. Each year, The International Alliance for Women recognizes up to 100 extraordinary women – and men – from around the world who have contributed to the economic empowerment of women.
Member Kudos: Fresno CDFI clients Al and Christy Kroell of ChristyAl Plaques & Engraving – have just received Sargent Shriver Achievement “Veterans Serving America” Award from National Community Action Partnership, an association of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies in the country.
Healthcare Info: The Small Business Administration and Small Business Majority are launching the Affordable Care Act 101 weekly webinar series. Small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and what it means for their company and employees, including insurance reforms, the small business health care tax credit, the new health insurance marketplaces, and employer shared responsibility provisions. Each week, SBA representatives will walk through the key pieces of the law so that small business owners can understand the facts and make the best, informed decisions they can about providing health insurance for their employees. The Affordable Care Act 101 will take place every Thursday from now (next ones are September 5, 12) through the opening of the marketplaces in October. Go to their website to register for The Affordable Care Act 101.
Free Training: As part of Citi’s commitment to building the capacity of partner organizations serving our local communities, it’s supporting a series of community economic development trainings focused on economic and community development finance conducted by the National Development Council (NDC). Through a contribution from the Citi Foundation, the cost of the tuition for Economic Development 201 – Business Credit Analysis will be provided at no cost to staff from non-profit 501c(3) organizations, including CDCs and CDFIs. The training is September 9 – 13, 2013 in Orange County. Learn more and register.
USDA RMAP Grant: USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) will provide about $12.2 million to eligible applicants this year. Under the program, USDA may provide loans of up to $500,000 to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs). They, in turn, make microloans for business start-up or development to eligible microentrepreneurs who are unable to obtain conventional credit elsewhere. Grants of up to $30,000 are available for MDOs to provide technical assistance and training, particularly in rural areas that have experienced significant outmigration. RMAP applications are due by September 13, 2013. Learn more or contact any USDA Rural Development state office.
Conference: Beacon Economics and UC Riverside’s School of Business Administration present the seventh annual Riverside/San Bernardino Economic Forecast Conference. Join some of the state’s leading economic forecasters and hear what’s next for the U.S., California, and inland Southern California economies. The conference takes place on October 29, 2013 from 8-11:00am at the Riverside Auditorium and Events Center (Municipal Auditorium). CAMEO members receive the ‘Affiliate Discounted Admission’ of $90. Learn more and register.