[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12395-12397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5010]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Small Business Jobs Act Implementation

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces it is 
holding a series of public meetings on its implementation of the Small 
Business Jobs Act. These public meetings will be held in selected 
cities across the country to broaden the opportunity for public 
participation with SBA's development and implementation of the 
procurement, finance, grant, international trade and other program 
enhancements enacted in the Small Business Jobs Act.

DATES: The meetings will be held on the dates and times specified in 
the Event Information section of the Supplementary Information below. 
It is recommended that all attendees register at least one week prior 
to the scheduled meeting date.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the locations specified in the 
Event Information section of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below. 
Parties interested in attending a meeting must register by providing 
the requested registration information at http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew D. Cutillo, Office of 
Government Contracting and Business Development, at (202)-205-6280, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On Sept. 27, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Small 
Business Jobs Act (SBJA). The new law provides critical resources to 
help small businesses continue to drive economic recovery and create 
jobs including extension of SBA enhanced loan provisions, offering 
billions more in lending support and tax cuts, and expanding other 
opportunities, including provisions affecting government contracting 
programs for small business owners.
    SBA will be hosting this Small Business Jobs Act Tour that will 
cover 13 cities to provide information and receive input on SBJA 
provisions.

II. Topics and Agenda

    While the agenda may vary from city to city, a typical agenda is 
below. Please visit http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour for updates on each 
location's agenda.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Time                           Title of session
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 a.m.-10 a.m..........................  Opening Keynote, Overview of
                                          Small Business Jobs Act and
                                          SBA's Mission.
10 a.m.-10:15 a.m......................  Break.
10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m...................  Room 1
                                         Session 1: Small
                                          Business Jobs Act provisions
                                          affecting Small Business
                                          participation in government
                                          contracting.
                                         Room 2
                                         Lender Roundtable.

[[Page 12396]]

 
                                         Room 3
                                         Expanding Exporting
                                          Opportunities for Small
                                          Business.
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m...................  Room 1
                                         Session 1, Continued.
                                         Room 2
                                         Lender Roundtable, Continued.
                                         Room 3
                                         Investing in Counseling and
                                          Training Services to Support
                                          the Growth of Small Business.
12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m....................  Break.
1:45 p.m.-3 p.m........................  Room 1
                                         Session 2: Small
                                          Business Jobs Act provisions
                                          affecting Small Business
                                          participation in government
                                          contracting.
                                         Room 2
                                         Opportunities in Accessing
                                          Capital.
                                         Room 3
                                         Expanding Exporting
                                          Opportunities for Small
                                          Business.
3 p.m.-4:15 p.m........................  Room 1
                                         Session 2, Continued.
                                         Room 2
                                         New SBA Loan Programs.
                                         Room 3
                                         Investing in Counseling and
                                          Training Services to Support
                                          the Growth of Small Business.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Please note that the SBA will also include a discussion of Size 
Standards during the 3 p.m. breakout session at events in San Antonio, 
TX, San Diego, CA, Chicago, IL, and Washington, DC.

Putting More Capital in the Hands of Small Business Owners

    SBA loans continue to be a critical tool for helping small 
businesses get the capital they need to grow and create jobs. The Small 
Business Jobs Act made permanent enhancements to SBA loan programs, 
such as raising the maximum loan sizes of the 7(a) and 504 programs. In 
addition, temporary provisions in the new law include a Dealer Floor 
Plan financing pilot as well as a program that allows some owner-
occupied businesses to refinance their commercial real estate mortgages 
using an SBA loan. Beyond the SBJA, SBA is taking several steps to 
better serve its lending partners and borrowers, to simplify and 
streamline loan programs, and to improve oversight of SBA lending. 
Small business owners, prospective and current SBA lenders are 
especially encouraged to attend, share their ideas with the SBA, and 
learn more about new tools being offered.

Strengthening Small Businesses' Ability To Compete for and Win Federal 
Contracts

    The Federal government awards hundreds of billions of dollars each 
year in federal contracts, nearly one-fourth of which goes to small 
firms. The Small Business Jobs Act contained 19 provisions that will 
help small businesses compete more effectively for federal contracts 
and subcontracts. SBA is rolling out these provisions that will help 
ensure more fairness, more opportunities, and more tools to help match 
federal agencies with small businesses that provide high-quality 
products and services. SBA wants to hear from interested parties about 
how it can effectively roll out new provisions, such as those relating 
to Multiple Award Contract set asides, subcontracting, Mentor 
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Programs, and, at select events, its size 
process. Small business contractors are encouraged to attend, learn 
more about these new tools, and share their thoughts on improving the 
environment for small business contracting.

Expanding Resources for Counseling and Training

    SBA has at least one District Office in each state, as well as 
about 14,000 affiliated counselors at Small Business Development 
Centers, Women's Business Centers and SCORE chapters. The Small 
Business Jobs Act is helping support these groups in a number of ways. 
For example, $50 million more is being provided to support the network 
of about 900 Small Business Development Centers throughout the country. 
Also, SBA is working with a broad group of counselors to equip them 
with more tools and information to help small firms start or increase 
exporting. All small business owners are encouraged to attend and learn 
more about the knowledge, tools, and contacts that SBA affiliated 
counselors can help provide.

Expanding Exporting Opportunities for Small Business

    Small businesses looking for new opportunities to increase sales 
and profit, and take advantage of increased demand for high-quality 
U.S. goods and services, should consider exporting. The Small Business 
Jobs Act includes exporting resources to help small businesses by 
making the SBA Export Express pilot loan program permanent, increasing 
maximum sizes for SBA's three export loan programs, and creating a new 
State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grants pilot program which will 
provide funds to states to assist small business interested in 
exporting. See Notice of Grant Opportunities to States: STEP Grant 
Program, 76 FR 10082 (Feb. 23, 2011). These expanded opportunities also 
help build upon the goal of doubling exports in the next five years via 
the National Export Initiative. Small business owners with a current or 
prospective interest in exporting are especially encouraged to attend.

III. Event Information

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Location                    Date                 Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Columbus, OH................  March 28, 2011,       The Ohio State
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   University, Ohio
                               4:15 p.m.             Union, 1739 N. High
                                                     St., Columbus, OH
                                                     43210.

[[Page 12397]]

 
Miami, FL...................  March 28, 2011,       Miami Dade College,
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Wolfson Campus,
                               4:15 p.m.             Chapman Center (
                                                     Building 3), 300
                                                     NE. 2nd Avenue,
                                                     Miami, FL 33132.
New York, NY................  March 30, 2011,       26 Federal Plaza,
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   6th Floor
                               4:15 p.m.             Conference Room A/
                                                     B, New York, NY
                                                     10278.
Atlanta, GA.................  March 30, 2011,       Loudermilk Center,
                               Begins 9:30 a.m.,     40 Courtland
                               Ends 4:45 p.m.        Street, NE.,
                                                     Atlanta, 30303.
Boston, MA..................  April 1, 2011,        O'Neill Federal
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Building, 10
                               4:15 p.m.             Causeway Street,
                                                     Boston, MA 02222.
San Antonio, TX.............  April 1, 2011,        The Norris
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Conference Center,
                               4:15 p.m.             4522 Fredericksburg
                                                     Road, San Antonio,
                                                     TX 78201.
Albuquerque, NM.............  April 11, 2011,       Embassy Suites
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Albuquerque, 1000
                               4:15 p.m.             Woodward Place NE.,
                                                     Albuquerque, NM
                                                     87102.
San Diego, CA...............  April 11, 2011,       County Health
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Services Complex,
                               4:15 p.m.             3851 Rosecrans St.,
                                                     San Diego, CA
                                                     92110.
Denver, CO..................  April 13, 2011,       Lowry Conference
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Center, 1061 Akron
                               4:15 p.m.             Wy Bldg 697,
                                                     Denver, CO 80230.
Seattle, WA.................  April 13, 2011,       Holiday Inn Seattle-
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   SeaTac
                               4:15 p.m.             International
                                                     Airport, 17338
                                                     International
                                                     Blvd., Seattle, WA
                                                     98188.
Huntsville, AL..............  April 15, 2011,       Chan Auditorium,
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   College of
                               4:15 p.m.             Business, 801
                                                     Sparkman Drive,
                                                     Huntsville, AL
                                                     35899.
Chicago, IL.................  April 15, 2011,       Citigroup Center
                               Begins 9 a.m., Ends   Building, 500 West
                               4:15 p.m.             Madison Street,
                                                     Suite 1150,
                                                     Chicago, IL 60661.
Washington, DC..............  TBD.................  TBD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Registration and Oral Presentation

    Any individual interested in attending and making an oral 
presentation shall pre-register in advance with SBA. Oral presentations 
may consist of comments on existing rules and procedures, general 
questions, or new ideas for the SBA to consider. Presentations will be 
made in the breakout sessions, pursuant to the format of each session. 
Based on the number of registrants it may be necessary to impose time 
limits to ensure that everyone who wishes to speak has the opportunity 
to do so. Please refer to http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour for 
registration information. SBA will attempt to accommodate all 
interested parties.

V. Information on Service for Individuals With Disabilities

    Reasonable accommodations will be provided to those who request 
assistance at least one week in advance of the meeting for which 
assistance is being requested. For a complete list of meeting dates, 
locations and points of contact please visit http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour.

    Authority:  Pub. L. 111-240.

    Dated: February 28, 2011.
Ana Ma,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2011-5010 Filed 3-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P