Fwd: News Release: US Settlement with Michigan Utility to Reduce Emissions at Its Coal-Fired Power Plants, Fund Projects to Benefit Environment and Communities

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: U.S. EPA <usaepa@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Subject: News Release: US Settlement with Michigan Utility to Reduce Emissions at Its Coal-Fired Power Plants, Fund Projects to Benefit Environment and Communities
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

Contact: Jennifer Colaizzi (News Media only) jennifer.colaizzi@epa.gov (202) 564-7776 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2014  US Settlement with Michigan Utility to Reduce Emissions at Its Coal-Fired Power Plants, Fund Projects to Benefit Environment and Communities WASHINGTON – In a settlement with the United States, Consumers Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, has agreed to install pollution control technology, continue operating existing pollution controls and comply with emission rates to reduce harmful air pollution from the company's five coal-fired power plants located in West Olive, Essexville, Muskegon and Luna Pier, Michigan, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The settlement will resolve claims that the company violated the Clean Air Act by modifying their facilities in a way that caused the release of excess sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. EPA expects that the actions required by the settlement will reduce harmful emissions by over 46,500 tons per year, which includes approximately 38,400 tons per year of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 8,100 tons per year of nitrogen oxide (NOx). The company estimates that it will spend over $1 billion to implement the required measures. The pollution reductions will be achieved through the installation, upgrade, and operation of state-of-the-art pollution control devices designed to reduce emissions and protect public health. Consumers Energy will also take several coal-fired units offline and may repower additional coal-fired units with natural gas. The settlement requires the company to pay a civil penalty of $2.75 million to resolve Clean Air Act violations and spend at least $7.7 million on environmental projects to help mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on the environment and benefit local communities.  "The required pollution controls and funding for mitigation projects will reduce harmful pollution in American communities," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "This case demonstrates that energy can be provided to local communities in a responsible way that significantly reduces sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide known to contribute to serious health concerns." "Today's settlement will bring cleaner air to residents in Michigan by removing tens of thousands of tons of harmful air pollution from the atmosphere," said Sam Hirsch, the Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.  "This agreement will render benefits to communities far into the future with pollution-reduction projects that will improve public health and help restore natural resources downwind of the plants."   The settlement requires the company install to pollution control technology and implement other measures to reduce sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions from its five coal-fired power plants, comprising 12 operating units. Among other requirements, the company must comply with declining system-wide limits for SO2 and NOx and meet emission rates. In addition, the company must retire or refuel two units to natural gas and retire an additional five units. SO2 and NOx, two predominant pollutants emitted from power plants, have numerous adverse effects on human health and are significant contributors to acid rain, smog, and haze. These pollutants are converted in the air to particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death. The settlement also requires Consumers Energy to spend at least $7.7 million on projects that will benefit the environment and local communities, including paying $500,000 to the National Park Service for the restoration of land, watersheds, vegetation and forests or combating invasive species in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park.  The remaining $7.2 million will be spent on a series of mitigation projects. Potential projects include efforts to reduce vehicle emissions, install renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, replace or retrofit wood burning appliances, and protect and restore ecologically significant lands in Michigan. Consumers Energy has five years to complete its selected projects. This settlement is part of EPA's national enforcement initiative to control harmful emissions from large sources of pollution, which includes coal-fired power plants, under the Clean Air Act's Prevention of Significant Deterioration requirements. The total combined SO2 and NOx emission reductions secured from all these settlements will exceed 2 million tons each year once all the required pollution controls have been installed and implemented. Consumers Energy is Michigan's second-largest electric and natural gas utility, providing electric service to more than 6 million people in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The settlement was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. More on the settlement: http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/consumers-energy-clean-air-act-settlement More information about EPA's enforcement initiative: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/2011airpollution.html R209 You can unsubscribe or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems, please e-mail subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to iammejtm@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

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Jeremy Tobias Matthews

Fwd: News Release: EPA Adds Pierson’s Creek Site in Newark, NJ to the Federal Superfund List Due to High Levels of Mercury

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From: U.S. EPA <usaepa@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 10:08 AM
Subject: News Release: EPA Adds Pierson's Creek Site in Newark, NJ to the Federal Superfund List Due to High Levels of Mercury
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

EPA Adds Pierson's Creek Site in Newark, NJ to the Federal Superfund List Due to High Levels of Mercury   Contact: Elias Rodriguez, (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov   (New York, N.Y. – Sept. 16, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today added the Pierson's Creek site in Newark, New Jersey to its Superfund list of the country's most hazardous waste sites. Past industrial activity at and in the vicinity of the site, including the manufacture of chemicals, has contaminated Pierson's Creek, which flows into Newark Bay. Sediment in the creek contains elevated levels of mercury and other pollutants. Previous testing by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection showed that some sediment in Pierson's Creek contained as much as 60% mercury by weight.   Exposure to mercury can damage people's nervous systems and harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.   "Adding the Pierson's Creek site to the Superfund list allows EPA to better protect people's health and clean up this highly contaminated creek in Newark, NJ," said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. "We have indications that sediment in Pierson's Creek contained as much as 60% mercury by weight. Mercury in sediment can build up in the tissue of fish and other wildlife and pose a threat to people who eat them."   The Troy Chemical Corporation has manufactured chemicals at a plant adjacent to Pierson's Creek since 1956. The company currently manufactures antimicrobial and antifungal paint additives at that facility. Between 1956 and 1965, the Troy Chemical Corporation allegedly discharged untreated mercury–containing wastewater into Pierson's Creek. After 1965, the wastewater was treated at the plant to address the mercury prior to its discharge into the creek. In 1976, a wastewater treatment plant was built on the site. In 2001, the EPA reached a settlement with Troy Chemical that required the facility to come into compliance with chemical reporting regulations and make improvements to reduce air and water pollution and decrease the amount of chemicals the company uses in its processes. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has also worked to resolve air and water violations resulting from operations at the plant. Other nearby facilities may also have discharged hazardous chemicals into the creek. New Jersey supports the inclusion of the Pierson's Creek site to the Superfund list.   The EPA periodically proposes sites to the Superfund list and, after responding to public comments, designates them as final Superfund sites. The EPA accepted public comments on the proposal of this site for 105 days and considered public input before finalizing its decision. In the proposal this site was named the Troy Chemical Corp. site. Today's addition of this site brings the total number of final sites on the federal Superfund list in New Jersey to 115 - the most of any state in the nation. The Superfund program operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers. The EPA searches for parties legally responsible for the contamination at sites that are placed on the Superfund list and it seeks to hold those parties accountable for the costs of investigations and cleanups.    To learn more about the site, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/piersonscreek/   Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2   14-103                                                             # # # You can unsubscribe or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems, please e-mail subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to iammejtm@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

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Jeremy Tobias Matthews

Fwd: News Release: EPA Awards Greensboro Housing Coalition a 2014 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: U.S. EPA <usaepa@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 9:08 AM
Subject: News Release: EPA Awards Greensboro Housing Coalition a 2014 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2014   EPA Awards Greensboro Housing Coalition a 2014 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement   CONTACT: Jason McDonald, (404) 562-9203 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main) mcdonald.jason@epa.gov   ATLANTA – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today a competitive cooperative agreement with the Greensboro Housing Coalition (GHC) to reduce housing-related asthma hospitalizations in low-income, minority neighborhoods in Greensboro, North Carolina resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals. The agreement is one of 12 EPA has reached with community-based organizations nationwide, totaling about $1.4 million in funding, under this initiative.   "These cooperative agreements empower communities to implement environmental protection projects locally," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "With these agreements, EPA advances our commitment to communities by providing financial and technical assistance to take action against environmental harm."   The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program provides funding for non-profit and tribal organizations to partner with stakeholders from across industry, government, and academia to develop and implement solutions that significantly address environmental and/or public health issues in American communities.   Through its "Healthy Homes Greensboro", the GHC will create a comprehensive plan for healthy homes and advocate together for multi-level policy changes. The plan will include the enforcement and strengthening of current policies and regulations, funding for community education initiatives, and working with local government to address gaps in healthcare. The Coalition and its partners will also identify at-risk families residing in substandard housing, repair homes with mold damage, enforce housing safety standards, and provide Integrated Pest Management solutions to residents to address and eliminate the misuse of pesticides and other toxic chemicals.   In 2003, EPA's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) launched the first solicitation for the EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program. Since the Program's inception, EPA has provided funding to 50 projects to help communities understand and address exposure to environmental harms and risks. Each of this year's recipients are awarded up to $120,000 to support two-year projects, including identifying and reducing sources of air pollution, reducing lead exposure in homes of low-income residents, and the cleanup and repurposing of community dump sites. Projects must use the Collaborative Problem Solving model, comprised of seven elements of a successful collaborative partnership, to address local environmental and/or public health issues.   Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. These awards represent EPA's commitment to promoting localized, community-based actions to address environmental justice issues. Please visit http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/grants/cps-project-abstracts-2014.pdf for a complete listing of the 2014 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement recipients and project descriptions.   In the fall of 2014, EPA plans to release a Request for Applications for the fiscal year 2015 Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. A schedule of pre-application teleconference calls will be announced at that time.   More information about EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement Program: http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-cps-grants.html   R206 ejR206_nc.docx You can unsubscribe or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems, please e-mail subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to iammejtm@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

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Jeremy Tobias Matthews

Fwd: News Release: $120,000 EPA Grant Will Help Puerto Rico Community Group to Reduce Air Pollution

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: U.S. EPA <usaepa@service.govdelivery.com>
Date: Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 7:35 AM
Subject: News Release: $120,000 EPA Grant Will Help Puerto Rico Community Group to Reduce Air Pollution
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

$120,000 EPA Grant Will Help Puerto Rico Community Group to Reduce Air Pollution   Contact: Elias Rodriguez, (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov or Brenda Reyes, (787) 977-5869, reyes.brenda@epa.gov or DISUR at (787) 284-8424   (New York, N.Y. – September 16, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $120,000 to Desarrollo Integral del Sur Inc. to help them identify sources of air pollution in the Tallaboa-Encarnacion, Puerto Rico community. The community is located in an industrial area of Puerto Rico, where there are a number of petrochemical businesses. The project is called "Pulmones Saludables, Ahora!" (Healthy Lungs, Now!).   "This grant will allow this community organization to gather information about air quality so they can better understand and address air pollution issues in this community," said Judith A. Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. "By tacking air pollution, this grant will allow community members to work together to improve public health in Puerto Rico, which has a very high asthma rate."   Asthma rates in the Tallaboa-Encarnacion community are high. Desarrollo Integral del Sur, a nonprofit community organization, will use the grant money to identify air pollution from the local sources that may be linked to the community's health concerns. This project will expand upon a previous EPA-funded project, which established an inventory of structures and lands in the petrochemical corridor between Penuelas and Guayanilla that are suspected of being contaminated with hazardous substances or petroleum. The EPA grant will be used to conduct an environmental study to determine the types of air pollutants coming from the local sources. This information will help inform ongoing plans for re-development taking place on former industrial properties in the area. The group will also work with the public to develop an asthma action plan to reduce residential exposure to pollutants.   As part of the project, Desarrollo Integral del Sur will take air samples and research existing databases of air quality information. A major component of the project will be to involve members of the community, and the group plans multiple public meetings and the use of social media and traditional media to keep the public informed of the research process, the findings and the development of the action plan.   Environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 2003, EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving grants have supported over 40 projects that address local environmental and public health issues within an affected community, and provide communities with information to help them develop proactive, strategic, and visionary approaches to tackle environmental harms and risks. The grants further EPA's commitment to expand the conversation on environmentalism and advance environmental justice in communities across the nation.   Information on Environmental Justice grants may be found at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/index.html   Information about DISUR may be found at: http://www.disur.org   14-101                                                             # # # You can unsubscribe or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems, please e-mail subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to iammejtm@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355

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Jeremy Tobias Matthews

Fwd: Certification Opportunity Workshops on September 25

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From: Small Business Administration <news@updates.sba.gov>
Date: Thu, Sep 11, 2014 at 5:22 AM
Subject: Certification Opportunity Workshops on September 25
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. SBA Buffalo District Office                September 25, 2014               Getting Certified 101                         FREE Registration by Clicking Here     The Women's Business Center and the SBA present an orientation and educational workshop on getting your business certified.  Attendees will learn about different kinds of certifications available and how it could help you to do business with the government from the Federal, State and City/County level.    Participants attending this program will learn about the following Federal certification programs: 8(a), HUBZone, Small Dadvantaged Businesses (DBE's), Service Disabled Veteran Owned & Woman Owned Small Businesses.    State representatives and City/County representatives will explain the MWBE (Minority or Woman Business Enterprise)  certification process, the similarities and differences between State and City/County Certification levels, and what it would mean for your business if you were MWBE  certified.    Participate in this seminar and you will get all the information you need to increase your business growth through certifications and government contracts.  Meet our experts—they are the people you need to know in the WNY area on these topics!   Where: Canisius College, Richard E. Winter Student Center, Regis Room, 98 Hughes Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208 When:  September 25, 2014  Time:    9:00am—12:00pm   For more information call: 716-888-8280  No fee is required for this informational seminar   Educational and Business Development Opportunity Continues...         SEPTEMBER 25 FROM 1 PM TO 4 PM...     Utilizing Your Certification to Get Business The Women's Business Center and the SBA present an educational workshop and matchmaker session on how to put your certification to use in getting you business. No FEE is Required for this Session   If you went through the process of getting certified and you are an MWBE, DBE, MBE, WOSB, etc. but you aren't getting those government contracts yet—this is the workshop for you!   Attendees will hear tips from the experts on how to utilize their certification to procure business from the government and contracting agencies who are looking for you!  Participate in this seminar and learn more about: · how you can use the NYS Contract Reporter and Bid Lynx systems to find out about what jobs are out there · what PTAC is and how they can help · tips and tools to help you market your business to help you land the contract!   **SPECIAL BONUS—the last hour of this workshop will be available time for you to get face to face and connect with some   local hiring agencies. Where: Canisius College, Richard E. Winter Student Center, Regis Room, 98 Hughes Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208 When:  September 25, 2014 from 1:00pm—4:00pm For more information call: 716-888-8280     www.sba.gov/ny/buffalo     SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Your Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help STAY CONNECTED: All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis | Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance  This email was sent to iammejtm@gmail.com by Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

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Jeremy Tobias Matthews

Fwd: SBA September 2014 Events

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From: Small Business Administration <news@updates.sba.gov>
Date: Tue, Sep 2, 2014 at 6:25 AM
Subject: SBA September 2014 Events
To: iammejtm@gmail.com

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. SBA North Carolina District Office September Upcoming Events Greetings Entrepreneurs!  Each month we highlight a few seminars and conferences being held around the state.   Below is a list of a few of the upcoming seminars to help you start, manage and grow your business.    Check the class listings for your local Community College Small Business Centers. Also, your local Chamber of Commerce has additional events.  Other events can be found at www.score.org;  www.sbtdc.org;  www.fsuvboc.com;   www.ncceed.org/help/womens-business-center;  www.ncimed.org/index.php/client-services/women-business-development.   More can be found at www.sba.gov/nc and click on "calendar".  If you'd like to be removed from future emails, follow unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of this email.    Please call the contact number listed to ensure that the event has not been cancelled.  Upcoming Events September 9      Simple Steps for Starting Your Business #1          Charlotte SCORE offers the first of five Simple Steps workshops for FREE.  This session will be held Packard Place, 222 Church St., "The Garage" meeting area, Charlotte.  Check-in 5:45pm and workshop from 6:00-9:00PM.  The remaining four workshops are $125.    Other Simple Steps will be offered at the SBA office on Fairview Road and at the University City Library.  Contact SCORE at 704-344-6576.  September 9      WOSB & EDWOSB Contracting Program for Women       Greenville This SBTDC is sponsoring this workshop.  It will cover the WOSB contracting program and how businesses can compete for government contracts and grow their business. The WOSB contracting program allows federal agencies to offer WOSB set aside contracts to women business owners.   Discussion Topics include: Detailed Information on the eligibility requirements • Steps to take to certify your company as a WOSB or EDWOSB • Marketing your company as a WOSB or EDWOSB • How to compete for government contracts • Resources available and much more. 8:30am – 12:00pm.  300 E. First St. – Willis Building, Greenville, NC. Registration is Required:    http://www.sbtdc.org/programs/ptac/wosb-seminars-2014/   September 10                   ABCs of Starting a Business         Durham Hosted by the NCIMED Women's Business Center of NC, this session will be held from 11:30am - 1:30pm.  Discussions include What does it take to be an entrepreneur?, How do I choose the right legal entity?, Do I need a business plan?, Where can I get money?, Who are grants for?, and much more.  To register, please contact Melissa Terrell 919-956-8889 mterrell@ncimed.org  Free.   September 11   Connecting Business with Opportunity                 Greensboro NCIMED, Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council, SAS, Duke Energy and many other sponsors are hosting panel discussions and an awards luncheon in recognition of 2014 Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week.  An evening reception on September 10 kicks off the celebration.  On September 11, from 8 a.m. to 3 pm, join business, government and academic leaders at the second annual statewide celebration.  Keynote speaker is Joann Hill from the US Department of Commerce MBDA.  The event will take place at NC A&T University. $100.   Register at www.ncimed/org/medweek.  September 11   Boots to Suits Conference                           Raleigh Is your small business hiring?  Consider hiring a veteran!  More than 7,000 veterans will be transitioning from Ft Bragg this year.   The mission of Boots to Suits Conference is to train and educate human resources professionals and hiring managers on why veterans and spouses are an asset to any company or organization. The conference workshops are designed to encourage businesses and organizations to adopt military friendly hiring practices.   Fayetteville State University is hosting a conference for HR professionals and hiring managers at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh from 8 to 4:30.  $199/$249.  For more information, contact 919-515-2261 or go to  Go.ncsu.edu/opd    September 11   Lunch and Learn:  Affordable Care Act                   Greenville The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act or ACA) enacted comprehensive health insurance reforms designed to ensure Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance. Learn what the law means for your small business through this informative lunch and learn sponsored by the SBTDC and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.  Lunch is included in the registration costs ($12.00).  Guest Speaker: Al Delia, Office of Health Access, Brody School of Medicine East Carolina University.   12:00 PM until 1:30 PM  at the ECU Willis Building Auditorium,  300 East 1st Street Greenville, NC 27858.                 September 17                   Affordable Care Act Provisions                 2 PM  WEBINAR Sponsored by the IRS.   Topics include: • The Affordable Care Act 2014 Marketplace tax provisions • Premium Tax Credit (IRC 36B)  • Individual Shared Responsibility Provision (IRC 5000A) • Small Business Health Care Tax Credit (IRC 45R) • Plus a live Q&A session with Subject Matter Expert.   Registration required: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=100208  September 23         How Military Women Become Entrepreneurs      Charlotte   Did you know that the skills you honed in the military are the very skills that make successful entrepreneurs?  Your military experience is your secret weapon, but there are other business skills you will need to start or grow your own business as a female veteran. Are you ready to call in reinforcements?  The North Carolina Women's Business Center and the Small Business Center at Central Piedmont Community College would like to honor your sacrifice and hard work with a conference created just for you.  All women are invited to join us, but if you are a female veteran, an active duty female service member, or one of the military women on the frontlines here at home, we have put together an event to help you move forward with your own "new mission" as an entrepreneur.    Come listen to a panel of successful female veteran business owners, learn about the business resources available to you and be energized by Elizabeth McCormick, a former Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot who uses her experiences to inspire you to "Soar 2 Success!"  Harris Conference Center; Free.  Call  704-330-6736;  renee.hode@cpcc.edu;   Register:  http://bit.ly/milentrepreneur   September 24        WOSB & EDWOSB Contracting Program for Women       Charlotte This SBTDC is sponsoring this workshop.  It will cover the WOSB contracting program and how businesses can compete for government contracts and grow their business. The WOSB contracting program allows federal agencies to offer WOSB set aside contracts to women business owners.   Discussion Topics include: Detailed Information on the eligibility requirements • Steps to take to certify your company as a WOSB or EDWOSB • Marketing your company as a WOSB or EDWOSB • How to compete for government contracts • Resources available and much more. 9:00am – 12:00pm 8701 Mallard Creek Road, Ben Craig Center, Charlotte, NC.  Registration is Required:    http://www.sbtdc.org/programs/ptac/wosb-seminars-2014/   September 9, 16, 23        Brownbag Session: SBA Programs and Services for Your Small Business     Candler (Asheville)   Grab your lunch and head to an A-B Tech site to discover what the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has in store for your small business, whether you are just starting or already in business.  Find out the available SBA-sponsored and SBA-funded resources to counsel and train small business owners in all areas of small business management (including business planning).   Find out what it takes to obtain a small business loan and to access SBA financing sources in particular.  Discover the SBA's minority and other certification programs which can enable your small business to tap into federal government contracting opportunities. Time:  12 to 1 p.m.  Choose from one the following dates and locations: 1) Tuesday, Sept. 9, at A-B Tech Enka; 2)  Tuesday, Sept. 16, at A-B Tech South location; or 3)  Tuesday, Sept. 23, at A-B Tech Madison County campus.  Free of charge, but registration is required:  https://www.ncsbc.net/center.aspx?center=75020  (check back if event is not yet entered).   September 26      WOSB & EDWOSB Contracting Program for Women       Pembroke This SBTDC is sponsoring this workshop.  It will cover the WOSB contracting program and how businesses can compete for government contracts and grow their business. The WOSB contracting program allows federal agencies to offer WOSB set aside contracts to women business owners.   Discussion Topics include: Detailed Information on the eligibility requirements • Steps to take to certify your company as a WOSB or EDWOSB • Marketing your company as a WOSB or EDWOSB • How to compete for government contracts • Resources available and much more.   Registration is required:    http://www.sbtdc.org/programs/ptac/wosb-seminars-2014/   Additional WOSB & EDWOSB Contracting Programs for Women TRIAD Area October 1 ASHEVILLE  October 8 HICKORY  October 9 RALEIGH  October 14 BOONE  November 18 www.sbtdc.org/programs/ptac/wosb-seminars-2014/#sthash.l3otRzV7.dpuf October 16          Funding High-Growth Ventures                               Greensboro This workshop is  for any emerging or existing company who knows that understanding the scope of financing available to them is key to success. This workshop will use best practices and data to examine how to finance a startup business, including:             An introduction to start-up capital requirements and stages of development;     Examining investment opportunities – lender vs. investors; Exit strategies and options; Capital sources for entrepreneurs – angel investors vs. venture capitalists; Business plans for start-ups; How to surround yourself with great advisors; What is a fundable company.  6pm to 9 pm. Cost: $199.  Location: 7300 Cessna Drive Greensboro, NC 27409;  Register:  www.haloworkshops.com/register  October 29-31                   GLOBAL MARKETS                           Charlotte Compete, Win, and Grow Your Business through Exporting.  Looking to penetrate new overseas markets and boost your bottom line through exports? Then reserve your place now at a DISCOVER GLOBAL MARKETS event in 2014.  Several events will be held around the country.   At Each DISCOVER GLOBAL MARKETS Conference you will: • Meet one-on-one with U.S. Commercial Diplomats visiting from abroad • Participate in panel discussions on the latest industry trends  • Identify new and emerging markets of opportunity ahead of your competition • Learn about U.S. export programs designed to cut your time to market • Network with U.S. trade officials, leading private sector experts and like-minded U.S. businesses active in overseas markets.   Breakout Session will cover questions on:  • Export finance  • Protecting your intellectual property  broad  • Complying with U.S. Export Controls • Mitigating your risk • Market entry strategies.   $295.  Register at:  https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1468383   For more information, http://export.gov/discoverglobalmarkets/   December 8 – Charlotte:Advanced Proposal Preparation & Development Workshops December 11 - Wilmington The North Carolina Military Business Center is hosting six Advanced Proposal Preparation and Development Workshops throughout North Carolina. Each workshop session will consist of two days of lecture, discussion, extensive hands-on class exercises and homework.  Participants will build on prior experience to: Make informed bid/no-bid decisions, Develop a technical proposal response to a sample solicitation, Develop a pricing estimate for a sample solicitation, Present an oral presentation of their proposal, and more.  Attendees must have working knowledge and experience with basic acquisition processes, federal government solicitations, basics of technical and price proposal preparation, federal source selection processes and applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).  $425.  Register today online at: http://www.ncmbc.us/14AdvancedProposalWriting.php                SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Your Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help STAY CONNECTED: All SBA programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis | Reasonable accommodations will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance  This email was sent to iammejtm@gmail.com by Small Business Administration (SBA) · 409 3rd St, SW · Washington DC 20416 · 1-800-827-5722

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Jeremy Tobias Matthews