Resources for Business in America

Programs & Initiatives for You

SBA Direct

SBA Direct is a new dynamic Web tool that allows users to personalize their experience on SBA.gov. Just by answering a few simple questions about your business, SBA Direct brings the targeted resources you need to start, operate and grow your small business – directly to your desktop.

SBA Direct: http://www.sba.gov/sba-direct/

Startup America

This interagency initiative connects entrepreneurs with successful businesses, opens up $2 billion in seed capital for emerging companies in fields of strategic importance, such as clean energy, and aims to simplify tax policy. Startup businesses may be interested in applying for new sources of Small Business Administration (SBA) funding.

SBA Startup America: www.sba.gov/startupamerica

Private Startup America Partnership: www.startupamericapartnership.org

Tax Breaks and Incentives for Small Businesses

The Administration is committed to providing small businesses support through tax breaks and incentives for investment and growth. To date, the Administration has supported seventeen direct tax breaks for small businesses.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-tax-breaks-small-businesses

Resources You Can Use

Counselors to America’s Small Business(SCORE)

SCOREhas over 11,000 volunteers that bring practical experience to small businesses and to entrepreneurs thinking about starting a new small business. For example, SCORE offers an online service called “Ask SCORE”. This tool allows small business owners to enter a business topic, choose a mentor from a list who best matches the business’s needs, and send him/her questions. The service guarantees a reply within 48 hours. SCORE is a Resource Partner with the SBA.

Home Page: www.score.org

Emerging Leaders

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Emerging Leaders initiative identifies small businesses that show a high potential for growth and, providing provides them with the network and resources required to build a sustainable business and promote the economic development. This initiative will enable the participating small businesses to engage in an intensive curriculum focused on developing a winning, expansion strategy for their business, including options for capital access and contracting. Participants also will have the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial community.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/e200

Expanded SBA Loan Sizes

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Jobs Act increased the maximum 7(a) loan size from $2 million to $5 million and increased the maximum 504 loan size from $2 million to $5 million for regular projects and from $4 million to $5.5 million for manufacturing projects, and increased the maximum microloan size to $50,000. 7(a) loans may be used to establish a new business or to assist in the acquisition, operation, or expansion of an existing business. Proceeds from 504 loans must be used for fixed asset projects and cannot be used for working capital or inventory, consolidating or repaying debt, or refinancing.

Find Loans and Grants: www.sba.gov/financing

Know Your Region

Economic Development Administration (EDA) and National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

The Department of Commerce’s EDA and the NADO Research Foundation have teamed up to deliver a library of information to help local officials, economic development practitioners, community leaders and citizens assess local and regional assets, needs, and visions in a global context, in order to achieve long-term regional prosperity and sustainability. For an example of these resources, take a look at the CEDS Regional Innovation Forum.

Learn More: www.knowyourregion.org

Mentor-Protégé Program

General Services Administration (GSA)

GSA’s mentor-protégé program fosters long-term relationships between GSA prime contractors and small businesses to enhance protégés’ capability to win and perform successfully on GSA contracts and subcontracts. The new mentor-protégé program has already helped boost small businesses across the country with 55 agreements in place, including 31 with service-disabled veteran owned small businesses. GSA plans to augment this program in FY 2011 with a tailored workshop series.

Learn More: www.gsa.gov/mentorprotege

Measuring Where You Are: Distress Index

Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

This tool provides practitioners a fast, simple way to calculate whether a county, region, or neighborhood may meet grant thresholds for unemployment and income.

Tool Box: www.statsamerica.org/distress

Projecting Where You Could Be: Capacity & Innovation Index

Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The tool provides practitioners a method of assessing the innovation capacity of their region using data from four areas: human capital, economic dynamics, productivity and employment, and economic well‐being.

Tool Box: www.statsamerica.org/innovation

Regional Innovation Assets Toolkit

Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The EDA's Regional Innovation Asset Toolkit is designed to help policy makers and citizens assess and improve the innovation capacity of their region by providing the most up-to-date information available on a variety of innovation assets

Tool Box: rrigis.rri.wvu.edu/

Regional Project Evaluation Tool

Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

This tool, created by the W.E Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of a project to help economic development practitioners determine its likelihood of success in a given region.

Tool Box: www.eda.gov/Research/ToolsOfTrade.xml

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBDCsprovide free or low-cost assistance to small businesses using programs customized to local conditions. There are more than 900 SBDCs with at least one in every state and territory.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/sbdc

Locations: www.asbdc-us.org

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

The SBIR program provides early funding technology companies to take research from the lab to the marketplace. SBIR represents the single largest early stage investment tool in the government, providing approximately $2.5 billion annually to small businesses. Phase I awards $150,000 for approximately six months to explore the technical merit or viability of an idea or technology. Phase II awards up to $1,000,000 for as many as two years in order to commercialize Phase I results. Each agency has its own SBIR program but the general program is coordinated by the SBA.

Learn More: www.sbir.gov

Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

VBOP is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/veterans

Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

WBC is a large network throughout the United States, offering women entrepreneurs, especially those that are socially or economically disadvantaged, comprehensive training and counseling to help them start and grow their own business.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/women

Other Ways the Administration Grows Small Businesses

Rural Business Service (RBS) Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Lending Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Learn More: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

U.S. Department of Treasury

The SSBCI was established by the Small Business Jobs Act to help spur up to $15 billion in lending by strengthening innovative state programs that support private sector lending to small businesses, including collateral support programs, Capital Access Programs (CAPs) and loan guarantee programs. In order to access SSBCI funds, small businesses should apply to their state’s lending program.

Learn More: www.treasury.gov/osdbu

Subscribe to SSBCI Conference Calls: SSBCIQuestions@treasury.gov

Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF)

U.S. Department of Treasury

To stimulate small business lending, the SBLF, administered by the Department of Treasury, is authorized to provide up to $30 billion in capital to qualified community banks and other targeted lenders with assets of less than $10 billion. In order to incentivize lending to small businesses, the SBLF is structured so that the price a bank pays for SBLF funding will be reduced as the bank’s small business lending increases. To access these benefits, small businesses should apply to banks participating in the SBLF. Treasury recently began accepting applications and all SBLF investments will be completed by September 27, 2011. To date, Treasury has received applications from over 250 institutions totaling more than $4 billion in funds requested. Treasury expects to complete initial fundings under the program in the first quarter, and will continue thereafter to fund institutions on a rolling basis.

Learn More: www.treasury.gov/osdbu

Programs & Initiatives For You

Regional Project Evaluation Tool

Economic Development Association (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

This tool, created by the W.E Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of a project to help economic development practitioners determine its likelihood of success in a given region.

Tool Box: www.eda.gov/Research/ToolsOfTrade.xml

Skills for America’s Future Program

Employment & Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

The program brings together businesses, nonprofits, and schools to train Americans for the jobs of a new century through the Skills for America’s Future program. This initiative is designed to build partnerships between businesses and community colleges to match the work in the classroom with the needs of the boardroom.

Learn More: www.doleta.gov/business/skilltobuild.cfm

Grants for Employment & Training

Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

ETA offers competitive and formula-based grant programs to provide funds for training the workforce. In FY 2011, ETA will invest over $975 million in grants for job training and education.Several competitions have just begun, and more are proposed for FY12, including:

1. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Community College and Career Training
2. Green Jobs Innovation Fund
3. Career Pathways Innovation Fund
4. National/Regional Intermediary Grant
5. H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants

Learn More: www.doleta.gov/grants

Tools for Employers

Competency Models

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

DOL works with business and industry to develop industry competency models and to identify and validate the competencies that employers need in high-growth, high-demand sectors. Employers, educators, and career counselors can use these competency models to design training curriculum, develop career pathways, and to help workers earn industry-recognized credentials.

Learn More: www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel

One Stop Career Centers

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

DOL oversees a national network of more than 2,900 One Stop Career Centers, located in communities in every state. One-Stop Career Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers and employers under one roof. Employers can use the centers to recruit skilled workers and partner in job training and other programs.

Locations: www.servicelocator.org

Tools for Job Seekers

My Next Move

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

This online tool helps both first-time and experienced workers explore the job market. The site provides information on each occupation’s skills and requirements, the occupation’s outlook, other similar jobs, local salary information, training opportunities, and job openings as well.

Tool Box: www.mynextmove.org

mySkills myFuture

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

This site helps more experienced unemployed workers determine how their current background and experience qualifies them for other potential jobs.

Learn More: www.myskillsmyfuture.org

Other Ways the Administration Develops the Workforce

Developing Local Workforces

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

In FY12, the Department of Labor proposes $500 million in grant money for Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training programs (TAACCCT). These funds are available to institutions of higher education to develop local labor talent to win the future.

Explore this and other Grants: www.doleta.gov/grants

Mapping Regional Workforce Assets Employment & Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

Asset Mapping Roadmap: A Guide to Assessing Regional Development Resources is focused on helping regions build strategies that align education, workforce development and economic development programs and is designed to help regional leaders support innovation-based growth.

Programs & Initiatives for You

Startup America

This initiative connects entrepreneurs with successful businesses, opens up $2 billion in seed capital for emerging companies in fields of strategic importance, such as clean energy, and aims to simplify tax policy. Clean energy startups may be interested in applying for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) new funds or participating in the SBA and Department of Energy (DOE) mentor corps.

SBA Startup America: www.sba.gov/startupamerica

Private Startup America Partnership: www.startupamericapartnership.org

Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

ARPA-E supports promising early-stage research projects aimed to deliver game-changing clean energy technologies. To date, roughly 37 percent of ARPA-E funds – $132 million – have been allocated to small businesses. ARPA-E remains engaged to help small businesses succeed after the award is made by offering resources designed to help companies overcome both technical and commercial challenges. In partnership with SBA, DOE is using a portion of ARPA-E funds to support four private business accelerators to mentor and support 100 clean energy technology startups across the country. The President’s 2012 Budget includes an additional $650 million for the ARPA-E program.

Learn More: arpa-e.energy.gov

Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

ARS is USDA’s principal intramural scientific research agency, with the authority to administer the patent program and the technology licensing program for all intramural research conducted by USDA. ARS continually looks for opportunities to partner with businesses in order toexpedite research results to the private sector, exchange information and knowledge, stimulate new business and economic development, enhance U.S. trade, preserve the environment, and improve the quality of life for all Americans. The website offers a list of ARS technologies available for licensing, staff members’ contact information that can help facilitate commercialization, and licensing information.

Learn More: www.ars.usda.gov

Fast-Track Examination

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO)

The USPTO is pursuing an Enhanced Examination Timing Control Initiative to give innovators more control over the application processing and support a more efficient market for innovation. Now applicants areable to request prioritized examination (Track I), obtain processing under the current procedure (Track 11), or request a delay lasting up to 30months (Track III). Entrepreneurs who are seeking capitalor accelerated market penetrationmay benefit from theprioritized examination offered by the Track I option. In contrast, those entrepreneurs working to commercializemore embryonic ideas may prefer the extended timeframe associated with Track III. Another benefit to entrepreneurs will be shorter overall examination queues.

Learn More: www.uspto.gov

Emerging Leaders

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Emerging Leaders initiative identifies small businesses that show a high potential for growth and provides them with the network and resources required to build a sustainable business and promote economic development. This initiative will enable the participating small businesses to engage in an intensive curriculum focused on developing a winning, expansion strategy for their business, including options for capital access and contracting. Participants also will have the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial community.

Learn more: www.sba.gov/e200

The Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The EDA plays a leading role in the Federal economic development agenda by promoting competitive ecosystems for entrepreneurship and innovation, and preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy. Examples of EDA programs include: revolving loan funds, investment funds for innovation infrastructure, university-entrepreneur partnerships, and support for firms negatively impacted by trade issues.

Learn More: www.eda.gov

Resources You Can Use

Expanded Loan Sizes

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Jobs Act increased the maximum 7(a) loan size from $2 million to $5 million and increased the maximum 504 loan size from $2 million to $5 million for regular projects and from $4 million to $5.5 million for manufacturing projects, and increased the maximum microloan size to $50,000. 7(a) loans may be used to establish a new business or to assist in the acquisition, operation, or expansion of an existing business. Proceeds from 504 loans must be used for fixed asset projects and cannot be used for working capital or inventory, consolidating or repaying debt, or refinancing.

Find Loans and Grants: www.sba.gov/financing

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

The SBIR program provides early funding technology companies to take research from the lab to the marketplace. SBIR represents the single largest early stage investment tool in the government, providing approximately $2.5 billion annually to small businesses. Phase I awards $150,000 for approximately six months to explore the technical merit or viability of an idea or technology. Phase II awards up to $1,000,000 for as many as two years in order to commercialize Phase I results. Each agency has its own SBIR program but the general program is coordinated by the SBA.

Learn More: www.sbir.gov

Protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

The DOC has undertaken numerous activities to assist SMEs in protecting IPR, both in the United States and abroad. The DOC launched a website to enable allows businesses to file complaints about IPR-related trade problems, which are answered within ten days by a trade specialist from the Office of Intellectual Property Rights. The DOC also established the 1-866-999-HALT hotline answered by USPTO IPR experts, who work with the Office of Intellectual Property Rights to help businesses secure and enforce their IPR through international treaties.

Learn More: www.stopfakes.gov

Report IP Theft: www.ice.gov/iprcenter and1-866-999-HALT

Other Ways the Administration Spurs Innovation

Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF)

U.S. Department of Treasury

To stimulate small business lending, the SBLF, administered by the Department of Treasury, is authorized to provide up to $30 billion in capital to qualified community banks and other targeted lenders with assets of less than $10 billion. In order to incentivize lending to small businesses, the SBLF is structured so that the price a bank pays for SBLF funding will be reduced as the bank’s small business lending increases. To access these benefits, small businesses should apply to banks participating in the SBLF. Treasury recently began accepting applications and all SBLF investments will be completed by September 27, 2011. To date, Treasury has received applications from over 250 institutions totaling more than $4 billion in funds requested. Treasury expects to complete initial fundings under the program in the first quarter, and will continue thereafter to fund institutions on a rolling basis.

Learn More: www.treasury.gov/osdbu

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

U.S. Department of Treasury

The SSBCI was established by the Small Business Jobs Act to help spur up to $15 billion in lending by strengthening innovative state programs that support private sector lending to small businesses, including collateral support programs, Capital Access Programs (CAPs) and loan guarantee programs. In order to access SSBCI funds, small businesses should apply to their state’s lending program.

Learn More: www.treasury.gov/osdbu

Subscribe to SSBCI Conference Calls: SSBCIQuestions@treasury.gov

Programs & Initiatives for You

Startup America

This initiative connects entrepreneurs with successful businesses, opens up $2 billion in seed capital for emerging companies in fields of strategic importance, such as clean energy, and aims to simplify tax policy. Startup businesses may be interested in applying for new sources of Small Business Administration (SBA) funding.

SBA Startup America: www.sba.gov/startupamerica

Private Startup America Partnership: www.startupamericapartnership.org

Tax Breaks and Incentives for Small Businesses

The Administration is committed to providing small businesses support through tax breaks and incentives for investment and growth. To date, the Administration has supported seventeen direct tax breaks for small businesses.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-tax-breaks-small-businesses

Resources You Can Use

Counselors to America’s Small Business(SCORE)

SCOREhas over 11,000 volunteers that bring practical experience to small businesses and to entrepreneurs thinking about starting a new small business. For example, SCORE offers an online service called “Ask SCORE”. This tool allows small business owners to enter a business topic, choose a mentor from a list who best matches the business’s needs, and send him/her questions. The service guarantees a reply within 48 hours. SCORE is a Resource Partner with the SBA.

Learn More: www.score.org

Expanded Loan Sizes

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Jobs Act increased the maximum 7(a) loan size from $2 million to $5 million and increased the maximum 504 loan size from $2 million to $5 million for regular projects and from $4 million to $5.5 million for manufacturing projects, and increased the maximum microloan size to $50,000. 7(a) loans may be used to establish a new business or to assist in the acquisition, operation, or expansion of an existing business. Proceeds from 504 loans must be used for fixed asset projects and cannot be used for working capital or inventory, consolidating or repaying debt, or refinancing.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/financing

Know Your Region

Economic Development Association (EDA) and National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

The Department of Commerce’s EDA and the NADO Research Foundation have teamed up to deliver a library of information to help local officials, economic development practitioners, community leaders and citizens assess local and regional assets, needs, and visions in a global context, in order to achieve long-term regional prosperity and sustainability. For an example of these resources, take a look at the CEDS Regional Innovation Forum.

Learn More: www.knowyourregion.org

Measuring Where You Are: Distress Index

Economic Development Association (EDA)

This tool provides practitioners a fast, simple way to calculate whether a county, region, or neighborhood may meet grant thresholds for unemployment and income.

Tool Box: www.statsamerica.org/distress

Projecting Where You Could Be: Capacity & Innovation Index

Economic Development Association (EDA)

This tool provides practitioners a method of assessing the innovation capacity of their region using data from four areas: human capital, economic dynamics, productivity and employment, and economic well being.

Tool Box: www.statsamerica.org/innovation

Regional Innovation Assets Toolkit

Economic Development Association (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The EDA's Regional Innovation Asset Toolkit is designed to help policy makers and citizens assess and improve the innovation capacity of their region by providing the most up-to-date information available on a variety of innovation assets.

Tool Box: rrigis.rri.wvu.edu

Regional Project Evaluation Tool

Economic Development Association (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

This tool, created by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of a project to help economic development practitioners determine its likelihood of success in a given region.

Tool Box: www.eda.gov/Research/ToolsOfTrade.xml

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBDCsprovide free or low-cost assistance to small businesses using programs customized to local conditions. There are more than 900 SBDCs with at least one in every state and territory.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/sbdc

Locations: www.asbdc-us.org

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

The SBIR program provides early funding technology companies to take research from the lab to the marketplace. SBIR represents the single largest early stage investment tool in the government, providing approximately $2.5 billion annually to small businesses. Phase I awards $150,000 for approximately six months to explore the technical merit or viability of an idea or technology. Phase II awards up to $1,000,000 for as many as two years in order to commercialize Phase I results. Each agency has its own SBIR program but the general program is coordinated by the SBA.

Learn More: www.sbir.gov

Supporting Underserved Communities

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA is committed to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved communities to drive economic growth and job creation. SBA loans are three-to-five times more likely to go to women and minority-owned small businesses, a fact which is crucial as these businesses have been hit disproportionately hard by the recession. In addition to SBA’s already existing loan programs, SBA is adding two new initiatives that are aimed at increasing access to capital for businesses in these communities.

• Small Loan Advantage. Increases availability of vital smaller dollar loans for small businesses in underserved communities.
• Community Advantage. Opens SBA’s 7(a) loan program to “mission-focused” financial institutions, including Community Development Financial Institutions, Certified Development Companies and non-profit micro lending intermediaries for small dollar loans.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/advantage

Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

VBOP is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/veterans

Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

WBC is a large network throughout the United States, offering women entrepreneurs, especially those that are socially or economically disadvantaged, comprehensive training and counseling to help them start and grow their own business.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/women

Other Ways the Administration Encourages Startups

Community Development Capital Initiative (CDCI)

U.S. Department of Treasury

Treasury’s Office of Financial Stability launched CDCI to provide low cost capital to depository Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), including banks, thrifts, and credit unions. This program is of interest to businesses in hard-hit communities. In order to access CDCI, small business should inquire about the program at their local financial institutions.

Explore Investments and the CDCI at: www.financialstability.gov

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund

U.S. Department of Treasury

The CDFI Fund promotes access to capital in urban and rural low-income communities across the nation. It enables local banks, venture capitalists, and loan intermediaries to make investments in order to further economic development (job creation, business development, and commercial real estate development), affordable housing (housing development and homeownership), and financial services (provision of basic banking services to underserved communities and financial literacy training). In FY 2010, the Administration increased the budget of the CDFI Fund to $246,750,000 from $107 million the prior year.Small businesses should contact local CDFIs in order to access capital from the CDFI Fund.

Learn More: www.cdfifund.gov

Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF)

U.S. Department of Treasury

To stimulate small business lending, the SBLF, administered by the Department of Treasury, is authorized to provide up to $30 billion in capital to qualified community banks and other targeted lenders with assets of less than $10 billion. In order to incentivize lending to small businesses, the SBLF is structured so that the price a bank pays for SBLF funding will be reduced as the bank’s small business lending increases. To access these benefits, small businesses should apply to banks participating in the SBLF. Treasury recently began accepting applications and all SBLF investments will be completed by September 27, 2011. To date, Treasury has received applications from over 250 institutions totaling more than $4 billion in funds requested. Treasury expects to complete initial fundings under the program in the first quarter, and will continue thereafter to fund institutions on a rolling basis.

Learn More: www.treasury.gov/osdbu

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

U.S. Department of Treasury

The SSBCI was established by the Small Business Jobs Act to help spur up to $15 billion in lending by strengthening innovative state programs that support private sector lending to small businesses, including collateral support programs, Capital Access Programs (CAPs) and loan guarantee programs. In order to access SSBCI funds, small businesses should apply to their state’s lending program.

Learn More: www.treasury.gov/osdbu

Subscribe to SSBCI Conference Calls: SSBCIQuestions@treasury.gov

Programs & Initiatives for You

Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

ARPA-E supports promising early-stage research projects aimed to deliver game-changing clean energy technologies. To date, roughly 37 percent of ARPA-E funds – $132 million – have been allocated to small businesses. ARPA-E remains engaged to help small businesses succeed after the award is made by offering resources designed to help companies overcome both technical and commercial challenges. In partnership with SBA, DOE is using a portion of ARPA-E funds to support four private business accelerators to mentor and support 100 clean energy technology startups across the country. The President’s 2012 Budget includes an additional $650 million for the ARPA-E program.

Learn More: arpa-e.energy.gov

Startup America

This initiative connects entrepreneurs with successful businesses, opens up $2 billion in seed capital for emerging companies in fields of strategic importance, such as clean energy, and aims to simplify tax policy. Clean energy startups may be interested in applying for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) new funds or participating in the SBA and Department of Energy (DOE) mentor corps.

SBA Startup America: www.sba.gov/startupamerica

Private Startup America Partnership: www.startupamericapartnership.org

Entrepreneurial Mentorship Corps

Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

SBA, in partnership with the DOE and ARPA-E, is funding four private business accelerators to implement a nationwide entrepreneurial mentorship program to assist up to 100 small businesses developing clean energy technologies. The accelerators will provide mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and recruit new mentors to work with the 100 companies to grow their businesses. Each of the 100 small, clean energy firms will be paired with at least two mentors based on their technical compatibility and geographic proximity to the mentoring companies. The four accelerators that will participate in the pilot program are, CleanTech Open (Bay area and New England), CleanTECH San Diego (Southern California and the Southwest), Clean Energy Trust (Midwest), and the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (Mountain region).

Explore: www.sba.gov/startupamerica

Tax Breaks and Incentives for Small Businesses

The Administration is committed to providing small businesses support through tax breaks and incentives for investment and growth. To date, the Administration has supported seventeen direct tax breaks for small businesses.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-tax-breaks-small-businesses

Resources You Can Use

Green Business Guidance

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA counsels and shares best practices with businesses seeking to become environmentally responsible. The SBA also offers free or low-cost technical assistance to help small business owners conduct energy audits and implement energy efficient technology.

Green Business Guide: www.sba.gov/content/green-business-guide

Become Energy Efficient:www.sba.gov/content/tips-energy-efficiency

Grants, Loans, and Green Incentives

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has many resources for businesses in green sectors such as clean energy and for any business seeking to become environmentally responsible. These resources include environmental grants and loans for firms developing energy efficient technology.

Grants and Loans: www.sba.gov/content/environmental-grants-loans

State and Local Programs: www.sba.gov/content/state-and-local-energy-efficiency-programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

The SBIR program provides early funding technology companies to take research from the lab to the marketplace. SBIR represents the single largest early stage investment tool in the government, providing approximately $2.5 billion annually to small businesses. Phase I awards $150,000 for approximately six months to explore the technical merit or viability of an idea or technology. Phase II awards up to $1,000,000 for as many as two years in order to commercialize Phase I results. With the help of Recovery Act funds, DOE increased its funding of SBIR and STTR Phase I and Phase II awards by $91 million to $235 million in FY2010.

Learn More: www.sc.doe.gov/sbir

Other Ways the Administration Invests in Clean Energy

Green Proving Ground Program

General Services Administration (GSA)

GSA is harnessing the potential of innovative buildings technologies and practices that accelerate environmental efficiency. By evaluating and adopting new ideas and technologies, GSA will drive innovation in environmental performance across Federal Government buildings and help build the clean energy economy of the future. In order to continue identifying innovative technologies to test and adopt, GSA has issued an official Request for Information and is creating a registry of technologies and practices that optimize energy performance, protect and conserve water, enhance indoor environmental quality, reduce waste and environmental impact of materials, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with building operations, and promote integrated design.

Learn More: www.gsa.gov/green

Better Building Initiative

The White House

Alongside the effort to double the share of electricity from clean energy sources by 2035, the President is proposing new programs to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings across the country. The “Better Buildings Initiative” will achieve a 20 percent improvement over the next decade, saving companies and business owners tens of billions of dollars a year. The plan will spur innovation by reforming tax and other incentives to retrofit, by creating a new competitive grant program for states and localities that streamline their regulations to attract retrofit investment, and by challenging the private sector to invest in building upgrades through a new “Better Buildings Challenge.”

Learn More: www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/betterbuildings/

Programs & Initiatives for You

National Export Initiative

In 2010, the President established the National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports over 5 years and create millions of jobs. As part of the NEI, the government has implemented a new website—www.export.gov—that offers tools to help small businesses begin exporting or access new markets.

Learn More: www.export.gov

Startup America

This interagency initiative connects entrepreneurs with successful businesses, opens up $2 billion in seed capital for emerging companies in fields of strategic importance, such as clean energy, and aims to simplify tax policy.

SBA Startup America: www.sba.gov/startupamerica

Private Startup America Partnership: www.startupamericapartnership.org

Tax Breaks and Incentives for Small Businesses

The Administration is committed to providing small businesses support through tax breaks and incentives for investment and growth. To date, the Administration has supported seventeen direct tax breaks for small businesses.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-tax-breaks-small-businesses

Resources You Can Use

Manufacturing.gov

U.S. Government Agencies

This website brings together information and resources important to manufacturers and service industries, such as those on regulatory reform, economic growth, and improving the business climate for U.S. manufacturing.

Learn More: www.manufacturing.gov

Small Business Administration Manufacturing Page

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA offers a website with comprehensive information on programs and services to help small manufacturers start, grow, and succeed.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/content/manufacturing

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

MEP works with small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money. This is a nationwide network that provides a variety of services, from innovation strategies to process improvements to green manufacturing techniques. MEP also works with partners at the state and Federal levels on programs that put manufacturers in position to develop new customers, expand into new markets, and create new products. MEP has a field staff of over 1,400 technical experts located in every state.

Learn More: www.nist.gov/mep

Import-Export Assistance

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms is a Federal program providing financial assistance to manufacturers affected by import competition. This is a cost sharing federal assistance program that pays for half the cost of consultants or industry-specific experts for projects that improve a manufacturer's competitiveness. Interested firms should begin by contacting one of eleven regional Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs).

Learn More: www.taacenters.org

Informed Regulations: Notify U.S.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

Notify U.S. is a free database and alert service that enables manufacturers and exporters to learn about proposed regulations that might pose barriers to exporting their products and gaining entry to markets outside the U.S. It also provides stakeholders a forum to voice their concerns about burdensome regulations.

Learn More: www.nist.gov/notifyus

Informed Regulations: Regulations.Gov

U.S. Government Agencies

This new online service enables businesses to stay abreast of new regulations and participate in their review.

Learn More: www.regulations.gov

Lean Thinking and Methods

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

This EPA tool lists common methods for implementing lean manufacturing practices.

Learn More: www.epa.gov/lean/thinking

Lean and Environment Toolkit

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Lean and Environment Toolkit offers practical techniques and strategies that can help lean, environmental, and other specialists at your shopfloor deliver environmentally conscious lean decisions and embed them as a core piece of your lean driven business operations.

Toolkit: www.epa.gov/lean/toolkit

Lean Enterprise Best Practices

New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Partnership

This website offers a mini-assessment of your business operations and examines how small manufacturers compare to leading lean manufactures.

Assessment: www.njmep.org/lean_enterprise_assessment_form.aspx

Measuring Where You Are: Distress Index

Economic Development Administration (EDA) and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

This tool provides practitioners a fast, simple way to calculate whether a county, region, or neighborhood may meet grant thresholds for unemployment and income.

Tool Box: www.statsamerica.org/distress

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

The SBIR program provides early funding technology companies to take research from the lab to the marketplace. SBIR represents the single largest early stage investment tool in the government, providing approximately $2.5 billion annually to small businesses. Phase I awards winners $150,000 for approximately six months to explore the technical merit or viability of an idea or technology. Phase II awards winning applicants with up to $1,000,000 for as many as two years in order to commercialize Phase I results. Each agency has its own SBIR program but the general program is coordinated by the SBA.

Learn More: www.sbir.gov

Expanded SBA Loan Sizes

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Jobs Act increased the maximum 7(a) loan size from $2 million to $5 million and increased the maximum 504 loan size from $2 million to $5 million for regular projects and from $4 million to $5.5 million for manufacturing projects, and increased the maximum microloan size to $50,000. 7(a) loans may be used to establish a new business or to assist in the acquisition, operation, or expansion of an existing business. Proceeds from 504 loans must be used for fixed asset projects and cannot be used for working capital or inventory, consolidating or repaying debt, or refinancing.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/financing

Programs & Initiatives for You

National Export Initiative

In 2010, the President established the National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports over 5 years and create millions of jobs. As part of the NEI, the government has implemented a new website—www.export.gov—that offers tools to help small businesses begin exporting or access new markets.

Learn More: www.export.gov

International Buyer Program (IBP)

International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

IBP recruits thousands of qualified foreign buyers, sales representatives, and business partners to U.S. trade shows each year, giving small businesses excellent opportunities to expand business globally. Participating U.S. businesses will not only meet more buyers, representatives and distributors, but their products and services can be listed in the Export Interest Directory and distributed to all international visitors.

Learn More: www.export.gov/ibp

Resources You Can Use

Protect Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The DOC has undertaken numerous activities to assist small businesses in protecting IPR, both in the United States and abroad. The DOC launched a website to enable businesses to file complaints about IPR-related trade problems, which are answered within ten days by a trade specialist from the Office of Intellectual Property Rights. The DOC also established the 1-866-999-HALT hotline answered by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) IPR experts, who work with the Office of Intellectual Property Rights to help businesses secure and enforce their IPR through international treaties.

Home Page: www.stopfakes.gov

Report IP Theft: www.ice.gov/iprcenter and 1-866-999-HALT

Small Business Global Access

U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im)

Ex-Im Bank provides financing assistance for the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. By offering the financing and insurance that most private institutions won't, Ex-Im assumes risk so small businesses don't have to. Through these services, Ex-Im Bank assists small businesses in managing their two most important objectives, borrowing money and getting paid. The launch page linked belowprovides information on events, products, and policies exclusively geared toward small businesses, which currently are exporting or trying to break into markets overseas.

Learn More: www.exim.gov/smallbusiness

Export Loan Programs

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Approximately 70 percent of all U.S. exporters have 20 or fewer employees. SBA has placed a priority on helping these small business exporters by providing a number of loan programs specifically designed to help them develop or expand their export activities. The program offers borrowers a maximum SBA-guaranteed portion of $1.75 million. Small businesses should apply through a participating lender.

Learn More: www.sba.gov/exportloans

Export Credit Guarantee (GSM-102) Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The GSM-102 Program provides credit guarantees to encourage financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products, while providing competitive credit terms to buyers.GSM-102 underwrites credit extended by the private banking sector in the United States (or, less commonly, by the U.S. exporter) to approved foreign banks using dollar-denominated, irrevocable letters of credit to pay for food and agricultural products sold to foreign buyers.

Learn More: www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/exp-cred-guar-new.asp

Other Ways the Administration Promotes Exports

Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP)

International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

The MDCP provides Federal financial and technical assistance to trade associations, chambers of commerce, and other industry groups that are particularly effective in reaching and assisting small and medium-sized enterprises. MDCP partnerships help to underwrite the start-up costs of competitiveness-enhancement projects, which these groups are often reluctant to undertake without Federal Government support.

Learn More: ita.doc.gov/mdcp

Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The TASC program is designed to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and related technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. For purposes of the TASC program, a "specialty crop" is defined as all cultivated plants and the products thereof produced in the United States except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco. Examples of activities these grants may cover include seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, pest and disease research, and pre-clearance programs. TASC proposals are accepted from any U.S. organization, including, but not limited to, non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, private companies, U.S. government agencies, and state government agencies.Due to an extensive outreach effort by USDA in 2010 targeting the U.S. horticultural industry, the TASC program allocated more than $7.3 million in FY 2010 to 26 organizations representing hundreds of small businesses.

Learn More: www.fas.usda.gov/mos/tasc/tasc.asp