The FSBDCN is one of eight original national SBDC pilot programs funded in 1976 by the US SBA to successfully link the state's education system to community outreach, utilizing both faculty and students to aid in the development and education of the state’s entrepreneurs and small business community. Today, the FSBDCN is a statewide network 35 centers, involving universities, colleges and other economic development organizations, with additional outreach provided at 50 resource partner locations.

Entrepreneurial teens discovered what it takes to be a successful business leader at the CEO Academy in Ft. Myers during an exclusive one-week summer camp for high school juniors and seniors that took place at the Lutgert College of Business from June 15-19. The camp was presented by Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University, and the SBDC/SBRN at FGCU. Working in project teams with local business leaders and educators, the students learned about business from these experienced professionals by participating in hands-on activities such as creating business plans and marketing packages based on case studies of specialized international corporations. The five teams competed for prizes but, more importantly, learned how to work in groups, use resources, and realize the critical and important ingredients for putting together a great plan and a successful presentation and business.

Council Meeting	Council Meeting	Lewis Attardo presents Award to Jennifer Crews for her outstanding dedication and efforts assisting with developing and implementing the State of Florida Small Business Advocate and Regulatory Advisory Council Programs
L-R: Lewis Attardo, Vicky Baker, Barbara Anderson and Jennifer Crews

The State of Florida’s Small Business Regulatory Advisory Council (Council), administered by the Florida SBDC Network by state statute, held its second in-person meeting on August 28 in Orlando. The Council meets monthly, often via teleconference, to review proposed agency rules to gauge their potential impact on small businesses. The Council has been actively working with state agencies to modify proposed rules to better accommodate a “small-business friendly” regulatory environment for Florida. As Council Chairman Frank Attkisson states, "State agencies seem to overlook what small business can do for an economy. The Council has given small business a new voice of reasonableness when dealing with the concerns of burdensome regulation, onerous rules and unquestioned fee increases which affect every entrepreneur’s bottom line."

At its August meeting, the Council continued to develop a report on seven agencies, and divisions of state agencies, currently under sunset review by the legislature. The legislative committee for sunset reviews will be deciding early next year which of these agencies should continue, which should continue with changes, and which should be abolished. The Council looks specifically at whether a particular agency has considered small business as it makes rules; whether the agency actively seeks to do business with Florida’s small businesses; and whether the agency engages in small-business friendly activities that go beyond legislative mandate.

Chairman Attkisson is a former Representative, Fred Dudley is a former Senator, and Humberto Cortina is a former Representative. Together they have many years of government experience. Their knowledge of Florida government helps the Council address rules and laws, and their impact on small businesses. Additionally, and by law, the Council members must be current or former small business owners.

SBDC Assists With Stimulus Programs for the Brevard Business Community
The SBDC at Brevard Community College is actively involved with LEAD BREVARD, a community-based organization committed to leadership development and citizen engagement; and BREVARD WORKFORCE, a catalyst for workforce development services in Brevard County, in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Securing Stimulus Dollars for Your Business programs. Sandy Pfrimmer and Victoria Peake have offered collateral and counseling in Cocoa Beach, Titusville and Palm Bay, respectively. Other participants have been the SBA Miami area service managers, Workforce counselors and local bankers. Heather Allen represented the SBDC at BCC at Workforce’s Things Are Going Green in Brevard County program.

Jacksonville Area SBDC Expands Community Outreach
In conjunction with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the SBDC at UNF expanded its community outreach by opening another counseling location in Duval County . The new location, at Cecil Commerce Center, will serve the west side of Jacksonville. Other locations include University of North Florida University Center, First Coast African American Chamber, Jacksonville Regional Chamber, Beaver Street Enterprise Center, and Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council. The Ocala SBDC satellite center relocated to Colours Plaza near I-75. The new office is more accessible, offers additional parking and provides more space for counseling and training services.

SBDC Moderates Forum to Address Economic Issues
The SBDC at Seminole State College (SSC) moderated the "Oviedo–Winter Springs Business Roundtable Forum" on June 4. Twenty-four local business owners, along with Mayors from both cities, exchanged meaningful dialogue designed to address current issues of critical importance to the small business economy.

SBDCs Celebrate Small Business Week In recognition of the U.S. SBA’s Small Business Week, May 18-22, the SBDC at UCF partnered with Orange County Government, the Disney Entrepreneur Center and UCF’s College of Business Administration to host a week-long celebration featuring a series of workshops and networking events. The week marked one of the largest events held by the Center with participation from more than 370 business owners, volunteers and small business advocates. The SBDC at BCC in Melbourne hosted a South Florida Small Business of the Year Awards' Breakfast in conjunction with the Space Coast Chapter of National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and IAP World Services. John and Carol Craig of Craig Technologies received the 2009 Small Business Person of the Year Award for the South Florida District. The SBDC at UNF nominated Mary Tappouni, President of Breaking Ground Contracting Company, who won the 2009 Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Florida.

L-R: Tom Gallman, South Florida SBA; John and Carol Craig of Craig Technologies, Inc; Ilene Rubio, South Florida SBA, and Vince LoPresti

SBDC Assists Panhandle Fresh Marketing Association With Rural Economic Development Grant
The SBDC at UWF continued its involvement with the Panhandle Fresh Marketing Association (PFMA). PFMA submitted an application to the USDA for a Rural Economic Development Grant (REDG), which included input and participation from the SBDC at UWF. Specifically, the REDG establishes a Revolving Loan Fund administered by an Economic Development Board that can be used for project feasibility studies/technical assistance; business incubators established by a non-profit; commercial development assistance (for non-profit and public bodies); projects to public, for-profit or non-profit entities to provide education and training to rural residents to facilitate economic development; and projects to public, for-profit or non-profit entities to provide medical care to rural residents. PFMA applied for the $185K REDG Grant to expand their initiative of facilitating and coordinating Farm to Big Box Stores (WalMart).
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Business Education: Motivation, Inspiration & Creativity

UWF's Laura Koppes, Psychology Professor and Chair, Shares Information on Organizational Change
Dr. Laura Koppes, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Psychology at the University of West Florida, met with the FSBDCN Regional Directors at their August Directors' Meeting in Pensacola. She presented the latest information on accepting and managing organizational change. Her presentation was timely, relevant and inspirational, and the directors left armed with a new-found appreciation of organizational change.

SBDCs Kick-Off Hurricane Season with Disaster Planning Workshops
The SBDC at UCF launched a series of disaster preparedness workshops to mark the beginning of the 2009 hurricane season. The center and its five sub-centers scheduled ten disaster planning workshops this summer in an effort to prepare the Central Florida small business community for disaster and recovery. The workshops were taught by SBDC at UCF CBA Gene Romagna and Robert Goetz, area manager of the SBDC at Seminole State College (SSC) and a member of the FSBDCN's Business Response & Recovery Team. Each of the workshops featured a tour of one of the FSBDCN’s Mobile Assistance Centers (MACs). The SBDC at UCF kicked-off the workshop series on Thursday, June 4 in downtown Orlando, and the event was sponsored by Orange County Government.

The SBDCs at BCC and SSC have also been active and visible in resource awareness for the 2009 hurricane season. They worked with Congressman Bill Posey’s office to bring Robert Goetz and his statewide SBDC Disaster Preparedness program to Cocoa Beach. Goetz provided an overview of business continuity on behalf of the FSBDCN's Business Continuity and Risk Management Center at Congressman Posey's Hurricane Preparedness Forum on June 30. The SBDC at BCC also worked with the Melbourne/Palm Bay Area Chamber to deliver the One Plan: Any Disaster program.

The SBDC at UNF hosted a visit by the Florida SBDC Mobile Assistance Center this summer. The MAC accompanied the Center’s Certified Business Analysts to locations in Nassau, Duval and St. Johns counties in conjunction with disaster preparedness seminars.

At the recent 29th Annual Association of SBDC's (ASBDC) National Conference in Orlando, FSBDCN State Director Jerry Cartwright was re-elected to a two-year term on the ASBDC Board of Directors and subsequently re-elected to serve as its Chair for another one-year term, ending at the 2010 ASBDC National Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Besides presiding over the Board, other roles of the Chair include providing testimony before the House and Senate committees on behalf of the ASBDC and working with small business committee members and staff, as well as the OSBDC Associate Administrator and staff. Major goals for the year will be to update and meet the goals of the national strategic plan; ensure a smooth and full transition under a new ASBDC CEO; and implement a successful legislative agenda and appropriations with Congress.

Florida SBDC Network Recognizes Performance Excellence
On September 14, close to 130 Florida SBDC Network staff members and conference attendees gathered to recognize staff, volunteers and resource partners for performance excellence in support of small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Performance Excellence Awards were presented by FSBDCN State Director Jerry Cartwright at a Florida SBDC Network Meeting held during the National Association of SBDC's 29th Annual Conference in Orlando.

"I'm extremely pleased to recognize our 2009 outstanding performers," said Cartwright. "These staff members, volunteers and resource partners exemplify the SBDC program's guiding principles of service excellence, productivity and continuous improvement, excellence in reputation, recognition and respect, and honesty and integrity. We’re very proud of these dedicated professionals who ensure that entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the best information and assistance possible to contribute to their success."
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SBDC Business Analysts Earn Certification Designations
The following Florida SBDC professionals have earned the designation of recertified or certified business analysts by completing some of the most stringent requirements for continuing professional development in the national SBDC program. Florida’s Certification and Professional Development Program is cited as a national best practice and one that empowers employees to deliver high quality services to the small business community. Their work demonstrates the community service mission of the universities/colleges and allows each to continue their advocacy, promoting the role universities/colleges play in economic development and continuous improvement through education.

RECERTIFICATIONS Required every 3 years		CERTIFICATIONS Required within 6 months of hire
	Ted Kramer CBA SBDC at PBCC Boca Raton 6 Years of Service as a CBA		Valerie Simmons CBA SBDC at GCCC Lynn Haven
	Nancy Orozco CBA SBDC Miami-Dade Miami / Hialeah Gardens 15 Years of Service as a CBA		Harry Looknanan, Jr. CBA SBDC at FGCU Ft. Myers
	Charlene Bostic CBA SBDC/PTAC at USF Tampa 7 Years of Service as a CBA		Nanyail Smoke CBA SBDC at IRSC Ft. Pierce
	Wayne Brass CBA SBDC at USF St. Petersburg 3 Years of Service as a CBA		Kristin Soto Student CBA SBDC at UWF Ft. Walton Beach
	Doretha Brooks CBA SBDC at CFDC-Polk County Lakeland 6 Years of Service as a CBA		David Noel CBA SBDC at USF Avon Park
	Carolyn Griffin CBA SBDC at SCF Manatee-Sarasota Venice 3 Years of Service as a CBA
	Parbatee Chang CBA SBDC in Broward Ft. Lauderdale 9 Years of Service as a CBA
	Ned Harper CBA SBDC at DSC Daytona Beach 3 Years of Service as a CBA
	Valentina Quintero CBA SBDC Miami-Dade Miami 3 Years of Service as a CBA

Orange County Mayor Proclaims Week of May 18-22, 2009 as Small Business Week in Orange County

The SBDC at UCF was among several small business service providers recognized by Orange County for its contribution in assisting the small business community during a proclamation ceremony held at the Orange County Commission Meeting on Tuesday, May 19. During the ceremony, Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty proclaimed May 18-22, 2009 as Small Business Week in Orange County in honor of small businesses and U.S. SBA’s Small Business Week.
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Diversity Through Collaboration

SBDC at UNF Receives Diversity Award
The SBDC at UNF received the Diversity Award at the 5th Annual Diversity Awards event sponsored by the Jacksonville Business Journal. The award recognizes Northeast Florida’s large number of minority owned businesses and the companies and individuals who have been instrumental in their success.
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Community Awareness: SBDC Visibility

Orlando Regional Director Meets with Members of Congress
SBDC at UCF Regional Director Eunice Choi met with two members of Congress during the month of April in an effort to address the current lending issues facing small business owners. On April 15, Choi represented the SBDC during a small business lending summit hosted by Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas. The purpose of the summit was to discuss the concerns and identify solutions to credit issues. Choi invited SBDC client Claudia Menezes who has had recent lending issues to share her story with the group. On April 24, Choi met with Congressman Alan Grayson and his staff regarding the SBA and economic recovery. Choi summarized the current issues facing SBDC clients.

City of Orlando Invites SBDC to Grow the Economy Together
On April 23, SBDC at UCF Assistant Director Pauline Davis participated in the City of Orlando’s “Growing the Economy Together” event. For the event, the city partnered with the Fairwinds Credit Union to support and encourage the small business community in their endeavors. Mayor of Orlando Buddy Dyer and the president of Fairwinds Credit Union addressed the group and discussed the support available to small business owners. The event also provided the opportunity for the SBDC at UCF to network with business owners and provide an overview of the many services available at the SBDC center.

FSBDCN Members Participate in Roadmap to Florida’s Future
The SBDC at UCF participated in a public forum, “Roadmap to Florida’s Future,” hosted by Enterprise Florida, University of Central Florida, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and the Florida High Tech Corridor on June 23. The forum, which is held every three years, is the state’s blueprint for economic development and is updated through the feedback and results received from the forum participants. The forum was one of eight half-day workshops held in Florida which enable high-level Florida officials to work with regional businesses and community leaders to determine economic priorities. Marketing Director Kellie Snaith represented the SBDC at UCF at the June forum.

Lew Attardo and Dianne Barlar, members of the FSBDCN State Director's Office leadership, represented the statewide SBDC Network at the Northwest Florida public forum, "Roadmap to Florida's Future." Held at Pensacola Beach, the event was four hours long and attended by over 120 of Northwest Florida's business and economic leaders.

SBDC Participates in Workshop Hosted by Florida Representative
Janice Donaldson, SBDC at UNF regional director, participated on a panel of presenters at a Small Business Growth and Development Workshop hosted by Florida House of Representatives Member Mia Jones.

SBDC Produces PSAs and Client Testimonial Video
The SBDC at UNF produced five new public service announcements and a new testimonial video of clients who benefitted from the SBDC’s services.  These can be found on the web site at www.sbdc.unf.edu. 

SBDC at UCF Partners with Florida District Export Council for Export 101 Workshop
The SBDC at UCF is an active member of the Florida District Export Council, an organization of leaders from the local business community, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Their knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms. Contributing to the Council’s goals, the SBDC at UCF hosted a one-day workshop, Export 101, during the center’s Small Business Week celebration in May. The workshop was designed for new-to-export companies who have limited or no exposure to exporting. Participants were provided the basic elements of exporting including how to evaluate their company for export readiness, develop an export marketing plan, and understand the basics of U.S. export regulations, logistics and finance. The SBDC at UCF partnered with the Florida District Export Council and the Orlando U.S. Export Assistance Center to present the event.
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