30th Annual Congressional Awards Reception Honors Members of Congress and Small Business Owners

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Small Business Council of America (SBCA), a national nonprofit organization representing the interests of privately-held and family-owned organizations on tax, employee benefit and health care matters, held its 30^th annual Congressional Awards Reception on May 8, 2013 at the U.S. Capitol.

Senator Mary Landrieu received the Special Congressional Appreciation Award in recognition of her small business leadership in the Senate. As Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Landrieu demonstrates a deep understanding of the issues facing small businesses and their owners and effectively works to solve those problems.  

Senator Rob Portman received the Special Congressional Appreciation Award in recognition of his willingness to tackle difficult and technical tax and employee benefit issues as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Senator Portman was also instrumental in shoring up the qualified retirement plan system to make it work in the small business context. 

Congressman Dave Camp received the Congressional Award for his commitment to comprehensive tax reform. As Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Camp has been committed to engaging stakeholders like the SBCA in the tax reform process. 

Jordan Wagner of Los Angeles, California, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award in recognition of his work as Executive Director of Generosity Water. Generosity Water works to fund and oversee the establishment of clean and renewable water sources in developing countries. "What makes Jordan special is that at such a young age, he has learned the importance of helping others in need," said Neil Carrey, SBCA Director and founder of the Humanitarian Award. 

Anthony Sblendorio of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, received the Small Business of the Year Award in recognition of the remarkable success of his company Back to Nature Home and Garden as a leader in ecologically sustainable landscape architecture.  Since its founding, Back to Nature has grown into a multi-faceted company that is behind some of the most innovative projects in New Jersey.  "What I find unique about Anthony is his steadfast desire to educate society about the importance of ecology," wrote Governor David Patterson.

SOURCE Small Business Council of America

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Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses in Massachusetts Impacted by the Boston Marathon Bombing

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Low-interest economic injury disaster loans are available to Massachusetts small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private non-profit organizations affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing on April 15, 2013.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO)  

SBA Administrator Karen Mills made the loans available following a request from Massachusetts
Gov. Deval L. Patrick on April 26 for a disaster declaration by the SBA.  The declaration covers Suffolk County and the neighboring counties of Essex, Middlesex and Norfolk in Massachusetts.

"The Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to help small businesses and non-profits in Massachusetts with their federal disaster loans," said Mills.  "Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA."

"The SBA can help affected small businesses and non-profit organizations overcome their economic losses by offering working capital loans, but the help cannot start until they submit an SBA Disaster Loan application to us," said Robert H. Nelson, SBA's Massachusetts district director. 

Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million.  The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  The rates on these loans are 2.875 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for small businesses with terms up to 30 years.  The SBA determines eligibility for the loans based on the size and type of business and its financial resources. 

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Applications and program information are available by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA's website at www.sba.gov . Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth,
TX 76155.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 27, 2014.

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov.

Contact: Michael Lampton
Email: Michael.Lampton@sba.gov
Phone: (404) 331-0333

Release Number: 13-517 MA 13556 

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

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