# ![](media/image1.png){width="1.63125in" height="0.83125in"} 

Volume 12 -- Issue 1 Contact: Chris Chavez (christopher.chavez@sba.gov)

## January 2006 Phone: (303) 844-0501/Fax 844-0506

####### SBA's Monthly News Update 

###### *-Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming-*

Newsline Eight is circulated to our resource and lending partners by
SBA's Region Eight Office

721 19^th^ Street, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado 80202.

**Elton W. Ringsak, Regional Administrator**

**James R. Henderson, Regional Advocate**

**Christopher Chavez, Regional Communications Director**

**Carol Helm, Regional Office Manager**

![](media/image3.png)***[Regional Administrator's Update by Elton "Mick"
Ringsak]{.underline}***

***SBA Hurricane Loans Exceed \$2.2 Billion with over \$1 Billion
approved in December alone.*** To date, the SBA has approved over \$2.3
Billion in long-term disaster loans to over 31,000 homeowners, renters
and businesses affected by the three hurricanes this fall. In total, the
SBA has now approved more than \$2 billion in disaster relief funds to
assist those affected by the devastating hurricanes that struck the Gulf
Coast and Florida. "This massive effort is showing month-by-month,
week-by-week and day-by-day the kinds of historic results we've expected
all along in bringing long-term relief to affected homeowners and small
businesses," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "Despite the
substantial hurdles caused by the damage and dislocation of these
storms, the SBA and its workforce continue to approve disaster loans at
a record pace. While maintaining our responsibility to taxpayers not to
approve loans that cannot be repaid, we have still approved over \$1
billion in less than 30 days and \$2 billion in four months, which is a
faster disaster response than the SBA has ever given to any disaster in
our 52-year history". Even though the SBA is approving loans faster than
it ever has in our 52-year history, we will continue to do everything we
can to move even faster. I congratulate the hard work and dedication of
the SBA employees working this disaster effort. Having returned from New
Orleans recently, I can tell you that the devastation of the city is
overwhelming and complete. We must not forget about our neighbors along
the Gulf Coast. For more information about the SBA's Disaster Assistance
loan programs, visit the SBA Web site at
<http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/hurricanes/> -- Mick

![](media/image4.png) **["In Your Corner" by Jim Henderson, Small
Business Advocate]{.underline}**

**New Report Documents Vital Role of Small Business.** Annually the
Office of Advocacy examines the role of small business in the American
economy. Using the latest 2004 data, *The Small Business Economy* (2005
edition) is comprehensive and insightful. Key segments focus on the
economic environment, regulations, innovation, tax policy, minority and
veteran entrepreneurship, federal government procurement and small
business financing data.   "The economic recovery continued in 2004. The
real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 3.75 percent.
The economy added 1.3 million net new

**Page One of Three**

**Page two -- Newsline Eight -- January 2006**

non-farm private sector jobs. The number of new employer firms
increased. So did the number of self-employed individuals. In short,
2004 was a good year for American small business." said Dr. Chad
Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy. This year's report
includes a paper from Dr. William Baumol, a renowned economist
specializing in entrepreneurship. Baumol's paper, "Small Firms: Why
Market-Driven Innovation Can't Get Along Without Them," examines the
reasons why small firms have contributed a critical share of radical
innovative breakthroughs. The report also contains a paper authored by
Advocacy economists Radwan Saade and Joe Johnson on the benefits of a
more simple and predictable tax code. A chapter is devoted to trends in
minority business ownership. It provides insights in racial differences
in business ownership and business outcomes. The *Small Business
Economy* also looks at changes in small business lending, federal
procurement and veteran entrepreneurship. Finally, the study updates
progress in the implementation of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
The RFA is critically important to small business as it requires federal
agencies to determine the impact of their rules on them and to minimize
the impact whenever acceptable alternatives can be found. In fiscal year
2004, the Office of Advocacy helped small business achieve more than
\$17 billion in regulatory cost savings. The complete report is
available online at or in hard copy from the Office of Advocacy. To
receive a copy, call (202) 205-6533.

         

**[District Office Reports: Your SBA Event Planner]{.underline}**

**Colorado** -- **Financing Your Small Business Workshop to be held
Thursday, January 19th in Denver.** This workshop is a "must attend"
event for entrepreneurs needing capital to start, grow or expand their
business. Participants will learn about SBA's various finance programs,
learn the basics on how these programs work, give tips on how to prepare
for the loan application interview, and find lenders in their area that
can finance their dream business. The class is FREE, and will be held at
the SBA's Colorado District Office, 721 19^th^ Street, Suite 426,
Denver, CO 80202. You must pre-register for the class by calling the
SBA's Ron Solberg at 303-844-2607 X 221.

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Montana -- Lorena "Rena" Carlson named the Montana District Office
Employee of the Year. Ms. Carlson was born in Tiffin, Ohio and moved to
Montana with her family in 1978. She makes her home in Helena along with
her husband Tom and 12 yr. old son Tommy. Ms. Carlson attended schools
in Helena. After a brief stint in Yuma, AZ, Ms. Carlson returned to
Montana and began her career with the U.S. Small Business Administration
in 1990. Ms. Carlson began working in SBA's loan liquidation division as
a clerk typist and has steadily moved up the ranks since then. She has
held various positions within the agency including, loan processing
assistant, public affairs specialist, and business development
specialist. She is currently responsible for marketing SBA's programs
and services through public relations, media contacts, workshops,
speaking engagements, and promotional advertising. She serves as the
District Office SCORE liaison working with the eight SCORE Chapters
around the state and also oversees administration of two women's
business centers located in Helena and Browning. Additionally, she
serves as a lender liaison addressing training needs for lenders, and
handling routine loan servicing, processing, and eligibility issues.
When she's not traveling across the state spreading the SBA message, Ms.
Carlson can be found hiking, skiing, camping and boating with her
family.

**Page three -- Newsline Eight -- January 2006**

![](media/image6.wmf){width="1.125in"
height="1.2916666666666667in"}**North Dakota** \-- **\"Starting a Small
Business\" workshop series will be held online as well as in Wahpeton,
Mayville, and Valley City beginning January 25, 2006.** This workshop
consists of three two-hour sessions covering the topics of marketing,
financing, records, taxes, regulations and insurance, forms of business
organization, and business planning. The series of workshops takes place
from 4:00pm - 6:00pm on January 25th, February 1st, and February 8th.
Please register at least three days prior to the event to receive
resource materials and instructions for online participation. For more
information, contact the SBA's Mike Gallagher at
<michael.gallagher@sba.gov> or at

1-800-544-4674.

**South Dakota --** "**Business Sense Workshops" to be held Each Tuesday
during the months of January -- March.** Sponsored by the Sioux Falls
Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council in cooperation with the
Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center,
SCORE and the Women's Business Institute, Business Sense Workshops
provide practical information to benefit your business or organization.
Workshops are held each Tuesday in January-March at the University of
Sioux Falls Stewart Center, 26^th^ and Menlo, beginning at noon. They
are "brown-bag" --- bring your own lunch --- and last for one hour.
Topics will range from marketing and advertising tips for small
businesses, websites and computer boot camp, to human resources issues,
dress code, and credit and collections. Cost is \$8 per person with
limited seating. Call 373-2002 or <kfoley@siouxfalls.com> to reserve
your spot.

![](media/image7.wmf){width="1.6402777777777777in"
height="1.8180555555555555in"}**Utah** -- **SBA to participate in the
LDS Church Self-Employment Expo to be held in Provo.** The Utah District
Office has been invited to attend the LDS Church Self-Employment Expo in
Provo, Utah as part of SBA's Faith Based and Community Initiative
program.  This event will be held on Thursday, January 12^th^ from 6:00
-- 8:30 pm and the Utah District Office has reserved a booth for the
evening.  The LDS Church Self-Employment Expo is for all business
development programs and vendors.  For more information regarding this
Expo, please contact Suzan Yoshimura at <suzan.yoshimura@sba.gov>.  

**Wyoming -- 4^th^ Annual GRO-Biz Conference to be held February 22 --
23^rd^ at the Sheridan Holiday Inn.** U. S. Senator Mike Enzi and
GRO-Biz invite small businesses in Wyoming and regional states to a
once-a-year event marketing your business to federal and state
government agencies and prime contractors. More than 60 federal and
state contracting officials will be available to talk about products
they buy and special requirements they may have. This event is an
incredible opportunity to meet one-on-one with federal and state
contracting officers. You will get the opportunity to network with other
professionals, contractors, and small business owners in one place. For
more information, please contact the SBA's Deb Farris at 307-261-6510.