Eileen Rodriguez Profiled in the Tampa Bay Business Journal

Regional Director Describes What Small Businesses Need Most

Businesses don’t make business news. People do. Executives profiled in the Tampa Bay Business Journal provide readers with valuable personal insights into how they do business and strategic challenges they have overcome, as well as a peek at how careers evolved. The Executive Files, produced in collaboration with Shooting Stars Post, brings these profiles to life in video vignettes.

This week features Eileen Rodriguez, Regional director, Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida.

“The main thing that they need is financial help” said Eileen. The economic downturn has hurt many small businesses that have turned to the SBDC for help. The goal is to help clients “not just stay in business, but expand their business at the same time.”

Eileen also discussed the desire to “bring in some new partners” including “the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce. The SBDC covers a 10 county region including Hernando County, which would not be possible without strong local partners.

Stimulus Package Leading to More Small Business Loans

90% Increase in SBA Loans since passage of the Recovery Act

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the SBA received $730 million to help small businesses obtain the capital necessary to survive the recession.  As of June 25, the SBA has supported more than $29.2 billion in small business lending with the approval of $21.9 billion in Recovery loans.

Unemployment Rate Decreases

June 2010 Employment Report

Private Employment Up, Government Employment Down, & Unemployment Rate Down

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released today its report on employment for June 2010 (BLS Employment Report June 2010). The good news was that temporary help employment (considered a leading indicator that the economy has moved into recovery) increased by 379,000 in June, private sector employment was up by 83,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate declined to 9.5%. However, government employment fell due to a 225,000 decrease in temporary workers working on the census.

Hometown Democracy?

As the November 2010 election draws closer, there will likely be several hotly contested races. One of those races will feature an amendment to Florida’s state constitution – Amendment #4. This amendment, also known as “Hometown Democracy”, is seen by most area chambers of commerce and economic development commissions as anti-business legislation and another potential drag on Florida’s already depressed economy. Locally, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors has issued a resolution against Amendment 4.

90 Percent Guarantee on SBA 7a Loans End

The authorization for the 90 percent guarantee on 7(a) loans ended on May 31, but the authorization for fee waivers is in place through September 2010. Unless Congress authorizes additional funds the SBA guarantees on 7(a) loans will be 85% on 7(a) loans $150,000 or less and 75% on 7(a) loans over $150,000.

May 2010: Job Growth Continues – Unemployment Rate Declines

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 4, 2010 released its report on employment for May 2010. Total nonfarm payroll employment grew by 431,000 in May, reflecting the hiring of 411,000 temporary employees to work on Census 2010.

Business Development Day Breakfast – Highlands County

Highlands County Economic Development Commission

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Keynote Speaker

Sean Snaith, PhD.

Economist, Institute for Economic Competitiveness University of Central Florida

“Economic recovery over the next two years in rural Florida”

Presentation of the Small Business of the Year and Start-up Business of the Year Awards