SBA Announces New Reduced 504 Loan Debenture Rates

U.S. Small Business Administration announces New Reduced 504 Loan Debenture Rates | site |



SBA announced the updated interest rates for the 504 Loan Program offered by CDC


(November 13, 2020) - - Today the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published the following information:

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the updated interest rates for the 504 Loan Program offered by Certified Development Companies (CDC). The program now allows for 10, 20, and 25-year interest rates at 2.231 percent, 2.364 percent, and 2.399 percent, respectively. Small businesses can now apply for a 504 loan at these low-interest rates.

“These are very encouraging terms and very supportive of our nation’s goal to bounce-back from COVID-19,” said William Manger, SBA Chief of Staff and Associate Administrator for the Office of Capital Access. “The longer terms and now lowest interest rates support and encourage...

U.S. Small Business Administration Proposes Small Business Size Standard Revisions in Eight Industrial Sectors to Increase Small Business Eligibility for Contracting and Loan Programs | site |



Public Comments Due by Dec. 1



(October 2, 2020) - - Today, October 2, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration published the following information: The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking public comments on two proposed rules that would revise the small business size standards for businesses in eight North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors to increase small business eligibility for SBA’s loan and contracting programs. The NAICS sectors reviewed in the first proposed rule are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting; Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction; Utilities; and Construction. The NAICS sectors reviewed in the second proposed rule are: Transportation and Warehousing; Informatio...

Dan Brouillette Confirmed By The U.S. Senate To Be Secretary of Energy | site |



(December 2, 2019) - - Today, the U.S. Department of Energy published the following information:

Dan Brouillette

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in a bipartisan vote of 70-15 the United States Senate confirmed Dan Brouillette to be the 15th U.S. Secretary of Energy. An official swearing in will take place at a later date. Prior to confirmation, Acting Secretary Brouillette served as the Deputy Secretary of Energy under Secretary Rick Perry. “I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the American people, President Trump, and DOE’s dedicated civil servants in this new role,” said Acting Secretary Brouillette. “I want to thank President Trump for placing his confidence in me to help advance America’s national security, energy security, and economic security through groundbreaking science, technology and innovat...

U.S. Small Business Administration Issues Final Rule to Expand HUBZone Opportunities to Small Businesses and Revitalize Communities | site |



(November 26, 2019) - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published the following information:

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today issued a final rule that will implement changes to the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program that will make the program more attractive to small businesses and encourage them to invest in HUBZone communities and hire HUBZone residents. The new rule changes will also make it easier for federal contracting officers to identify and work with HUBZone-certified small businesses. The rule is published in the Federal Register and effective December 26, 2019. "The exciting improvements outlined in this rule were designed to address longstanding uncertainty from both small businesses contemplating an investment in a designated ...

U.S. General Services Administration Launches New Pilot Program Increasing eBuy Transparency

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One Year Pilot Program with Select GSA Contracting Offices to Study Effects on Competition, eBuy Usage


Washington, DC - - (October 17, 2018) - - The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has launched a pilot project aimed at improving transparency and increasing competition through the use of GSA’s eBuy, an online Request for Quote (RFQ) system. The eBuy Open GSA First pilot aims to draw more vendors to participate in the federal marketplace by publicly releasing post-award eBuy RFQ information on GSA procurements on FedBizOpps. “Providing more transparency into how the federal government buys products and services will help contractors and our agency customers make more informed decisions when considering GSA contracts,” said GSA Administrator Emily Murphy. “Making t...

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Small Business Administration Team up to Help Veteran Entrepreneurs

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Washington, DC - - (May 4, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide education and support to disabled Veterans interested in self-employment.

VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) entered into an agreement with the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development in early December to provide self-employment guidance, assistance and on-the-job training to disabled Veterans. “Our partnership with the Small Business Administration brings together the best of public and private business resources to help disabled Veterans start their business on a firm footing,” said VA Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This program is available to Veterans who want to transition ...

U.S. Department of Labor HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration Completes Application Goal

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Washington, DC - - (April 30, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that the HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration has reached its application goal, and the registration period is now closed. This November, the Department will recognize employers who qualified for the HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration Award. The program demonstration enabled up to 300 employers to apply and prepare those who registered for an account on the HIREVets.gov website. “Our veterans possess the skills necessary to excel in today’s workplace,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. “The HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration provides an important opportunity to reenergize employers who are supporting the heroes who have served our nation.” The full HIRE Vets Medall...

U.S. Small Business Administration Expands its Emerging Leaders Initiative Helping Small Businesses to Thrive




Recruitment now underway to help increase small business development in underserved communities



Washington, DC - - (March 10, 2017) - - The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the launch of the 2017 Emerging Leaders Initiative, a seven-month executive-level training series targeting small businesses with high-growth potential in underserved cities across the nation. This year, three new cities have been added, bringing the number of participating communities to 55.

Local recruitment for the 2017 training cycle has begun and is ongoing at designated SBA district offices. Classes are scheduled to begin in April, and interested small business owners can learn more on eligibility and how to apply at the SBA’s website: www.sba.gov/emergingleaders. The SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative delivers en...

National Tax Security Awareness Week opens with Warnings to all Taxpayers and Tax Professionals as holidays, 2021 Tax Season approach | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release: November 30, 2020)

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners today issued warnings to all taxpayers and tax professionals to beware of scams and identity theft schemes by criminals taking advantage of the combination of holiday shopping, the approaching tax season and coronavirus concerns. The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry opened the National Tax Security Awareness Week to coincide with Cyber Monday, the traditional start of the online holiday shopping season. But the holiday shopping season combined with the impending tax season and an increased trend toward working remotely make online security an absolute necessity. "This is generally the hunting season for online thieves, but...

U.S. Office of Personnel Management Announces Finalists for Class of 2021 Presidential Management Fellows | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Office of Personnel Management [OPM] news release: November 24, 2020)

Washington, DC - - The Office of Personnel Management has announced the finalists for this year’s Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. More than 6,800 individuals from around the world applied for the program and 551 finalists were chosen.

PMF serves in a variety of Federal positions across the government and provides sought-after talent and domain expertise to civil service. Throughout the next year, finalists will have the opportunity to interview with Federal agencies across the government to find placements as Presidential Management Fellows.

• This is the 43rd year of the PMF Program.
• The 2021 finalists represent 77 different degree programs across 153 academic institutions.
• The PMF Program is the Federal

...

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Record-breaking Atlantic Hurricane Season draws to an End | site |




NOAA says Improved forecasts, extensive preparedness helped protect lives and property


(Information contained in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) news release: November 24, 2020

The extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is drawing to a close with a record-breaking 30 named storms and 12 landfalling storms in the continental United States. While the official hurricane season concludes on November 30, tropical storms may continue to develop past that day.

Courtesy NOAA*

NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlooks accurately predicted a high likelihood of an above-normal season with a strong possibility of it...

Flight Attendant Union Statement on the Boeing 737 MAX Return to Service | site |



(Information contained in Association of Flight Attendants CWA, AFL-CIO press release: November 18, 2020)

Washington, DC (November 18, 2020) — Following the Boeing 737 MAX return to service order by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson released the following statement: “As aviation’s first responders and last line of defense, Flight Attendants understand that our jobs and our lives depend on this industry meeting the highest possible standards of safety and security. After nearly two years of reviews and the redesign of critical aircraft systems, U.S. regulators are clearing the 737 MAX to resume flying. "This day is the result of the persistence of engineers and manufacturing workers at Boeing. But this day is also a reminder of why this plane has not flown for two years and the responsibility we all h...

Air Line Pilots Association comments on Federal Aviation Administration’s Return-to-Service Protocol for Boeing 737 MAX | site |


(Information contained in Air Line Pilots Association press release: November 18, 2020) McLean, Va.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement today after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the final Airworthiness Directive and Flight Standardization Board report for the Boeing 737 MAX, paving the way for the aircraft’s return to service after being grounded internationally since March 13, 2019: “Based on the Airworthiness Directive, ALPA believes that the engineering fixes to the flight-critical aircraft systems are sound and will be an effective component that leads to the safe return to service of the 737 MAX. “While ALPA continues to review the specific enhanced flight crew training details contained in the Flight Standardization Board report, the months-long process, in...

Boeing Responds to Brazil’s Aviation Authority Approval to Resume 737 MAX Operations in Brazil | site |




(Information contain in The Boeing Company press release: November 25, 2020)

SAO PAULO, Nov. 25, 2020 – Brazil’s Aviation Authority, ANAC, joined the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today, by rescinding the order that halted commercial operations of Boeing 737-8s in Brazil. Commercial operations for the aircraft type can take place once airlines have met the requirements outlined by ANAC’s order. "Not a day goes by that we don't remember, reflect and rededicate ourselves to ensuring accidents like the ones that led to the decision to suspend operations never happen again," said David Calhoun, chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. "Boeing worked closely with the FAA and ANAC to meet their expectations to safely return the 737 MAX to commercial service in Brazil”. Throughout the past 20 months, Boeing ...

U.S. Department of Labor announces WIOA Guidance on Priority of Service for Americans in Need
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Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released a Training and Employment Guidance Letter today announcing its vision for a priority of service in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program and explaining how the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) expects states to implement the priority requirement.

As outlined in the guidance, the Department will work with states to strengthen state and local policies and procedures that enhance workforce development services to recipients of public assistance, low-income individuals, and individuals who are deficient in basic skills. This follows the Department’s announcement of a tri-agency initiative with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with states to better coordinate employment assistance programs...

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $35 Million in Funding for Hydrokinetic Turbine Development | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] news release: November 24, 2020)

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced $35 million in funding for 11 projects as part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) Submarine Hydrokinetic And Riverine Kilo-megawatt Systems (SHARKS) program. SHARKS teams will develop new economically competitive Hydrokinetic Turbines (HKT) designs for tidal and riverine currents. “Hydrokinetic energy is an abundant renewable resource that can boost grid resiliency and reduce infrastructure vulnerability, but it is currently a cost prohibitive option compared to other energy generating sources,” said ARPA-E Director Lane Genatowski. “SHARKS teams will address this barrier by designing new, efficient HKT systems that utilize America’s tidal, riverine, a...

Federal Communications Commission to Host Webinar on Virtual Volunteerism on Dec. 2 | site |




(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] release: November 24, 2020)

The FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau will host a webinar on Virtual Volunteerism: leveraging broadband to match individual volunteers with nonprofit organizations and provide services. The free webinar will begin Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. ET.


Editor's note: The FCC Public Notice detailing the webinar may be viewed at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachme...C-368347A1.pdf or press HERE

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Issues New Policy on Dry Heat for Reuse of Certain Respirators | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration press release: November 25, 2020)

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance on the use of dry heat to help support the single-user reuse of certain particulate filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), such as N95 respirators, by health care personnel when there is a limited supply of respirators during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The immediately-in-effect guidance provides the FDA’s thinking and recommendations regarding the use of bioburden reduction systems that use dry heat to reduce the bioburden, or amount of microorganisms present, on certain respirators for reuse by a single user. Bioburden reduction systems are intended to achieve a certain level in microbial reduction on a device; these are not decontamina...