From Judy Gilleland

The SBDC is getting ready for another busy year helping clients prepare for going into business,
expanding an existing business, or just getting help dealing with issues facing business owners
in today’s new economy. The Middletown office of the SBDC met with 183 people last year
spending close to 500 hours assisting them with everything from Start-up questions, to
marketing plans, to loan application support. During 2010, SBDC clients from Middletown
received $1,090,000 in loans, started 3 companies (several others bought or sold), increased
sales by $2,612,000, and most importantly created 54 jobs.

As the SBDC enters the busy season, we wanted to let everyone know we will have our offering
of Business Workshops and seminars again this Spring. Our ‘Start Up workshop’ is offered once
a month throughout the year for those considering starting their own venture. Our quarterly
‘Loan Forums’ give you direct access to representatives from various banks to understand the
loan process. Our series on ‘Marketing Your Business in Today’s World’ will be offered over 3
weeks in March. And of course we will have a variety of other seminars on government
contracting, international trade, insurance needs, understanding your taxes, and accounting
basics. Plus many, many more.

New this year, we are offering a ‘Fast Trac New Venture’ series with our regional SBDC partners
to those interested in a more in depth look at their business. This course is an 8-week offering
that brings in specialists to look at various areas of your business including planning, marketing,
financing and implementing a new venture or initiative. We will offer this series during
winter/spring and again over the summer.

For more information on any of our trainings or to schedule a time for our free, confidential
counseling please call the SBDC office at 727-3686 or email
meisenbraun@butlercountysbdc.com. More information about SBDC services is available
through the City of Middletown website and you can click through to additional resources on
the butlercountysbdc.com site.

We also wanted to make sure that everyone is aware that the Community Express Loan
Program through the SBA is still available. The SBA has set the program to expire on April 30,
2011. As such, many banks will continue taking Community Express loan applications until April
1st. This program is a great opportunity for small business needing up to $50,000 for a variety
of acceptable needs. Also, please remember that the Patriot Express Loan program has been
extended by the SBA for the next 3 years and is available to veterans and their families. The
SBDC can assist you in preparing your package for presentation to apply for any of the many
SBA loan programs offered through local banks.

Lastly, The SBA is currently working on new loan programs designed for small dollar loan
amounts. We expect to have additional information regarding these loan programs available
for you by the beginning of March. In the mean time, if you have any questions, please call or
send us an email and we will be happy to anyway we can.