Melvin Flowers is living out his dream as he sits behind the desk in his office at Flowers Insurance Agency, Incorporated, where he is the exclusive agent of the independently owned and operated Allstate Insurance Company.
Following 9/11 there was a decline in international enrollment at American colleges and universities. In 2006, the annual report on international academic exchange Open Doors 2006 published in November of 2006 by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, indicated that international enrollments at American colleges and universities are poised to rebound following the declines after 9/11.
CenterPoint recently welcomed Bob Rakstang as its newest staff member. He brings 35 years of first hand business experience to this new position.
CenterPoint at Governors State University recently announced that it will offer Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) resources, a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential.
David Contorno, Owner, Ubuildit-Mokena, applied for and received a grant from CenterPoint Entrepreneurship Center for marketing and advertising professional services for his Ubuildit franchise.
People who own their own business and are leasing or renting space generally begin at some point to ask themselves the following questions. Why do I have to lease? Why should I keep on paying rent? Wouldn’t it be better to own my own building? But in most small businesses there is limited capital available to finance the acquisition of a building for the business, and even less available for the construction of new property. So how does a small business get a building financed in today’s market?
CenterPoint is sponsoring a trip to Camp CEO, a project of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network which includes Milliken University and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, for two area students this summer.
If you are considering certifying your business there are a number of factors to be considered. Certification is a business tool and a business may wish to pursue certification in order to receive the benefits of specific small business programs. However, keep in mind that the necessity for business certification is determined by the requirements of your customer, the marketplace, and your businesses objectives. Certification should be pursued for your business because it is a good business decision – not to support a cause or a bureaucracy. Business certification will not cause customers to beat a path to your business door.
A recent client of the CenterPoint for Entrepreneurs at GSU, Dave Contorno, Owner of UBUILDIT, Mokena, has been named recipient of an Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. He is one of 25 area entrepreneurs to be honored by The Business Ledger at its eighth annual awards presentation on September 19th.
Whether you’re establishing a solo medical practice or joining a medical group, beginning a practice related to the health care field requires considerable forethought and attention to detail. In order to be successful, it is imperative that the practitioner understand the business side of the health care industry. Even though it is called a practice, it is a business, complicated by government regulations, and compliance and reliance on both the government and insurance industry for its cash flow.
Two fee changes, to become effective October 1, 2007, will result in a real decrease in the cost of the 504 program. This is good news for Borrowers. The first fee change impacts the up-front “SBA Guaranty Fee” which from ½ % to zero. This is the one-time fee paid by the BORROWER for a 504 loan. This is NOT the bank fee, which is paid on the first mortgage amount. The SBA Guarantee Fee, currently set at 50 basis points of the net debenture, is being eliminated from all debenture pricing for all loans that are approved in the new fiscal year.
As you apply for your Patriot Express loan The Centerpoint for Entrepreneurs at GSU is available to assist you in taking your business idea from concept to reality. CenterPoint’s Small Business Development Center will provide you, at no cost, professional assistance on:
If you are a veteran or member of the military community with a desire to establish, or expand a small business, the U.S. Small Business Administration and its resource partners have designed a program, the Patriot Express Initiative that can help you. The new program provides assistance with counseling and training, loans, contracting assistance and disaster recovery. Eligible military community members include:
The Centerpoint for Entrepreneurs at Governors State University has partnered with Great Lakes Bank to assist Blue Island businesses in benefiting from the Blue Island Development Loan Fund. Great Lakes Bank has pledged $5 million dollars to facilitate investment in Blue Island’s revitalization efforts. The funds will be used specifically for the rehabilitation of commercial buildings and the establishment of new businesses in the Western Avenue shopping district.
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