Archive for the ‘Business Assistance Programs’ Category

Mexico Now, Mexico’s leading international business magazine, is hosting the “Logistics in Mexico Conference” in El Paso, Texas on Thursday, March 25, 2010. The conference will be held at the El Paso Marriot Hotel, 1600 Airway Boulevard, from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Subject matter covered during the conference will include:

• Customs in Mexico and USA
• Business dynamics of 3PL
• Legal and tax aspects of the logistics industry in Mexico
• State of the art of inventory control
• The role of the federal government to improve the competitiveness of the logistics industry
• The importance of landed-cost, new product development and response to market
• Comparison of Mexico’s logistics industry costs and practices with other low-cost countries
• Industrial real estate and locations
• Local market opportunities
• Major threats to logistics in Mexico

Conference costs for manufacturers, suppliers and services vendors is US $320 plus tax and includes meals, conference materials and activities.

For more information about the event, speakers and to register online, please visit the conference website.

Announcement Courtesy of WESST, SBDC, and SCORE

National news sources have reported a staggering decrease in bank lending to small businesses in 2009.  Small businesses have faced a variety of challenges during this latest recession and are hopeful the lending will improve in 2010.

What can small businesses expect from lenders in 2010?

• What has changed in lending, if anything?
• What do banks expect from borrowers?
• What lies ahead in small business loans?
• What SBA programs or guarantees exist now? In the future?

A panel of local lenders and Small Business Administration (SBA) officials will answer many of these questions during a “Free Lender’s Forum” on February 4, 2010. The forum will be held at the Dona Ana Community College Workforce Development Center, 2345 E. Nevada in Las Cruces, New Mexico from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Food and beverages will be provided, but space is limited. Please pre-register by calling 541-1583.

The February meeting of the MVEDA Business on the Border Forum will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Day’s Inn Columbus Conference Center, 901 Avenida de Mesilla.  The meeting will begin with a hot entree buffet, followed by an update by MVEDA staff.

Christopher Madrid, Vice President of IMPACT-NM Business Growth Services will be the featured speaker for the luncheon.  IMPACT-NM Business Growth Services is a division of New Mexico Community Capital (NMCC). New Mexico Community Capital founded IMPACT-NM to ensure that New Mexico businesses have the skills they need to grow and use equity capital effectively, regardless of whether they become NMCC client companies. By giving them access to experienced professionals, they expand and improve by using new methods, resourceful financings, and creative growth and performance strategies.

IMPACT-NM works with promising companies throughout New Mexico to help them create the strategies, master the skills, and acquire the outside resources they need to prosper. They provide hands-on assistance, delivered by successful senior management-level business executives. An advisor becomes immersed in the client enterprise, shoulder to shoulder with the local team - a rewarding arrangement for both parties. By partnering with business owners and taking the time to understand their challenges, IMPACT-NM gives them the skills and knowledge to achieve accelerated growth and greater stability.

Luncheon cost is $15.00 per person, payable by cash, check or major credit card. The meeting is open to the public and reservations are not required.

Press Release Courtesy of the New Mexico Farm Service Agency

Salomon Ramirez, State Executive Director for the New Mexico Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminds producers that FSA has targeted loan funds for producers that are recognized as Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) farmers or ranchers. These loan programs are designed to help farmers purchase and operate family farms.

With these loan programs, FSA’s mission is to reverse the declining number of farmers and ranchers across the United States and to encourage and assist them in owning and operating their own farms and ranches, participate in agricultural programs, and become integral parts of the agricultural community.

FSA reserves a portion of its loan guarantee funds each year for SDA loans. Ramirez says SDA’s are individuals or entities who are members of a SDA group.  A SDA group is a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity.  These groups consist of American Indian or Alaska Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and women.

Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA and include both farm operating and farm ownership loans.

Guaranteed loans also may be made for farm ownership or operating purposes, and may be made by any lending institution, subject to Federal or State supervision, who make agriculture type loans (banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and units of the Farm Credit System including the Bank for Cooperatives) and guaranteed by FSA. Typically, FSA guarantees 90 or 95 percent of a loan against any loss that might be incurred if the loan fails.

According to Ramirez, “Repayment terms for direct operating loans depend on the collateral securing the loan and usually run from 1 to 7 years and repayment terms for direct ownership loans can be as long as 40 years.”

Guaranteed loan terms are set by the lender. Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the Government’s cost of borrowing. Interest rates for guaranteed loans are established by the lender.

Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch, purchase easements or rights of way needed in the farm’s operation, build or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn, promote soil and water conservation and development, and pay closing costs.

Farm operating loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm equipment, fertilizer, and other materials necessary to operate a successful farm. Operating Loan funds can also be used for family living expenses, refinancing debts under certain conditions, paying salaries for hired farm laborers, installing or improving water systems for home, livestock, or irrigation use, and other similar improvements.

Applications for all FSA direct loan programs are made through FSA’s local county offices.  Producers interested in these loans should visit their local county office for eligibility, application and related program details.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Article Courtesy of The Las Cruces Bulletin

Help is on the way for anyone looking to start a business, but not quite sure how to start.

The Entrepreneurship Institute at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center will hold a grand opening for its Entrepreneurship Laboratory from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at NMSU’s Academic Research Building A, located on the south end of campus.

“This is an incredible community resource and it’s available for anyone interested in exploring the option of starting or running a business in New Mexico,” said Matt Elgersma, business research and outreach coordinator for Arrowhead Center. “We want to help spur economic development by helping potential entrepreneurs in beginning the process.”

The lab includes a library of entrepreneurship resources, computers equipped with business simulation software and a step-by-step workbook written for anyone interested in starting a business in the state.

The lab is part of Arrowhead’s Entrepreneurship Institute, which also focuses on fostering emerging entrepreneurs and establishing an entrepreneurship network within the state. The institute is funded by a three-year, nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and made possible by New Mexico’s congressional delegation.

There will be free finger foods and beverages, and a raffle will be held with the winner taking home a piece of jewelry provided by Boudreau’s Glenn Cutter Jewelers and Gallery, located at 2001 E. Lohman Ave., Suite 125. Entrants must be present to win. The drawing is at 4 p.m.

For more information, email Elgersma at melgersm@nmsu.edu, call 646-7832 or visit www.arrowheadcenter.org.