SBA’s Monthly News Update

–Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming-

Newsline Eight is circulated to our resource and lending partners by SBA’s Region Eight Office

721 19th Street, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado 80202.

Elton W. Ringsak, Regional Administrator

Christopher Chavez, Regional Communications Director

Volume 8 – Issue 5 Contact: Chris Chavez ([email protected])
May 2002 Phone: (303) 844-0501/Fax 844-0506

From the Desk of Mick Ringsak…. Region Eight RA

May 5 -12th is National Small Business Week across America

Not long ago, I saw the results of a recent survey, in which 70 percent of high school students prefer to find success by starting their own
business, rather than inheriting money. That’s a remarkable statistic. Maybe they’re just star-struck by

the unreal stories about Internet start-ups, and IPOs. But maybe they realize that there has never been a better time to start or run a small business. Even during times
of change.

Certainly we owe part of this entrepreneurial optimism to the strong economic leadership of President Bush and Vice President Cheney, which has produced an
environment in which small businesses can flourish and be successful. Small business continues to be the engine that drives the revitalization of our nation’s economy.
National Small Business Week recognizes America’s entrepreneurs for their inspiration and imagination during changing times.

Since September 11th, the world we knew has changed. When we go to the airport on travel and see added security – our world has changed. When a small business
sees its profits fall dramatically, and customers are wary to make that next big purchase, our world has changed. Yes, our world has become a different place, but many
things have not changed. The American spirit is stronger today than it has been in 50 years. Customers are returning to retail stores to buy goods and services. The
number of new business start-ups is on the rise. Throughout these recent times of change the SBA has been there to serve this nation during one of its darkest times in
history. Whether we helped a new grocery store in Helena, Montana obtain a SBA guaranteed loan, or referred a potential entrepreneur in Ogden, Utah to a SBDC or
SCORE counselor for guidance, or assisted a Denver travel agency severely impacted by the events of 9/11 with a disaster loan – the SBA has been there to serve you
and your family. We are proud of the role that our agency has played in this new economy. Since 1990, the SBA has backed more than $100 billion in loans to small
businesses, more than in the previous 25 years combined. Last year alone, SBA programs produced almost $17 billion in small business financing. More than half of
all institutional venture capital deals in the U. S. last year were done through SBA’s venture capital program. Our business development assistance programs
counseled, trained and advised a million entrepreneurs.

Each of these small businesses creates jobs, improves the economy and strengthens its community. That’s why this year’s Small Business Week slogan is – "Small
Business: Where America Works." I encourage existing and potential small business owners throughout Region Eight to pursue their dreams and fulfill their business
needs by taking advantage of the SBA’s programs and services.

–Page one of three–

Page Two – Newsline Eight – May 2002

Congratulations to Region VIII 2002 Small Business Week Winners! America’s entrepreneurs continue to be a driving force in our nation’s economy and society.
During National Small Business Week, we want to congratulate all Region Eight winners for their hard work and dedication to the small business community.

The Region VIII Small Business Week 2002 winners are:
Minority Advocate: Carmina D. Oaks Wyoming
Women Advocate: Keller L. Hayes Colorado
Veteran Advocate: Ward A. Cheney South Dakota
Accountant Advocate: Clifford Alan Moore Wyoming
Financial Services: Rosalie Sheehy Cates Montana
Journalist: Leanne H. Frost Montana
Exporter: Steven Hugh Bixby Montana
Young Entrepreneur: Heath Copp North Dakota
Entrepreneurial Success: Robert J. Stevens Montana
Home-based Kari Gabrielson-Jagodzinski South Dakota

District Office Reports

Colorado – 2002 Colorado Small Business Week Awards Luncheon scheduled for May 22nd in Denver. Colorado’s Small Business Week winners will be
presented their awards at this year’s awards luncheon. The public is invited to attend this event. Over the past several years, this award luncheon has been the
highlight of all Small Business Week activities. Over 400 people are expected to attend this year’s function. The luncheon will be held on Tuesday, May 22nd at the
Downtown Marriott Hotel, 1701 California Street. The event will begin at 11:00 am and end by 12:30 pm. Reservations are being taken until May 7th. Cost is $45 per
person. Please call SBA’s Jeanette DeHerrera at (303) 844-2607 Ext. 226 for more information.

Denver Small Business Development Center’s 3rd Annual Trade Fair. The Denver Small Business Development Center is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual
Trade Fair. The Trade Fair will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at the Wells Fargo Bank Atrium (17th and Broadway). There is no cost to
attend. The purpose of the event is to showcase successful SBDC clients. Thirty-five exhibitors featuring exciting businesses, partnering organizations will be present
to display their products and services. Please call (303) 620.8076 for additional information.

Montana – Small Business Week Award Luncheon scheduled for May 10th. The SBA, Stockman Bank, Billings Area Chamber of Commerce and the Service
Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) will honor Montana’s 2002 Small Business Week award winners at a luncheon scheduled for May 10th in Billings. Awards will be
presented in thirteen different categories. Governor Judy Martz will be the keynote speaker. SBA’s Region Eight Administrator – and current Montana businessman –
Mick Ringsak will make presentations to all regional award winners. Also scheduled to attend are members of Montana’s congressional delegation. This event will be
held at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana in Billings, located at 5500 Midland Rd., beginning at Noon. Registration information is available by contacting SBA’s Rena
Carlson at (406) 441-1081or [email protected].

Page Three – Newsline Eight – May 2002

North Dakota – Business Helps Business Conference Scheduled for May 7th in Fargo. Entitled "Small Business: Where America Works," this
conference/workshop will focus on business-related topics as well as state and federal financing opportunities available statewide. Are you a small business owner or
potential small business owner with the desire to start, build or grow your business? Are you a lender or community leader sensitive to the needs of the community that
you serve? Then this all-day event is for you. The Business Helps Business Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference
Center in Fargo. For more information, please call the SBA’s Marlene Koenig at (701) 239-5131.

South Dakota – World Trade Week Conference to be held Tuesday, May 21st, and Wednesday, May 22nd in Sioux Falls. Learn the best ways to export
your products and services abroad from trade experts joining us from across the Upper Great Plains. There will be plenty of opportunities to network and gain business
leads with other business owners in between training sessions. Richard Ginsburg, one of SBA’s trade specialist from Washington DC will make a presentation about the
agency’s various trade finance programs. Nancy Gilbertson, SBA’s South Dakota District Director will join representatives from the Great Plains World Trade Center and
the U.S. Department of Commerce as guest speakers and panelists for the two-day event. Registration is $50.00 per person to attend the event and $150.00 to display
a booth. For more information, contact the Great Plains World Trade Center at 605.332.7634.

Utah — Celebrating Utah Small Business week in Utah. In conjunction with the Utah Business Resource Network, the Utah District Office will be celebrating Utah
Small Business during the week of May 13 – 16th. The week long festival will include: Monday – May 13, 2002, SBA awards Kick-Off Luncheon at the Joseph
Smith Memorial Building starting at 12:00 noon – 1:30 PM. The Utah District office celebrates National Small Business Week and gives recognition to Utah’s best
and brightest entrepreneurial talent. The luncheon will include a multi-media presentation honoring award winners. Tuesday – May 14, 2002, Women’s Business Day
Luncheon at the Little America from 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm. 30 "Women on the Move" will be recognized at the Women’s Business Day Luncheon. Wednesday,
May 15, 2002, Celebrate Free Enterprise Trailblazer Luncheon at the Salt Lake Community College at the Miller Campus from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Utah’s
Top Ten Entrepreneurial Trailblazers for 2002 will be announced. Thursday – May 16, 2002, Suppliers Showcase at the Rice Eccles Stadium Towers from 8:00 am
– 1:00 pm. Visit some of Utah’s best small businesses and Women and Minority Owners firms, get information on how you can utilize these great firms as suppliers to
your company. For more information, contact the SBA’s Georgia Yoshida at (801) 524-3217.

Wyoming — Small Business Exporter of the Year to be recognized. On May 10th, the Douglas Chamber and Memorial Hospital of Converse County will sponsor a
luncheon to recognize Wyoming’s Small Business Exporter of the Year winner, Dr. Paul White, owner of Nutrition Center Inc. The SBA’s Mahlon L. Sorensen will
introduce Governor Jim Geringer who will present the award to Nutrition Center, Inc. d.b.a. Nutri-West. Dr. White is a successful Wyoming chiropractor and nutrition
expert that began his business in 1988 with the help of a SBA guaranteed loan. Since then, the firm has begun exporting its products around the world, including
Canada, Mexico and England. For more information on this event, please call the SBA’s Debra Farris at (307) 261-6509.