SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

AUTHORIZATION:

Small Business Act of 1953, Section 2, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 631, 637(b); Sections 7(i) and 7(j), 15 U.S.C. 636(i) and (j); Section 302(c)(2), Public Law 95-510, 15 U.S.C. 637.

OBJECTIVES:

To help the prospective, as well as the present small business person improve skills to manage and operate a business.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Advisory Services and Counseling;  Dissemination of Technical Information;  Training.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Advises small business persons of all SBA and other government agency assistance services. This assistance includes the following: (1) Workshops for prospective small business owners; (2) management counseling, including assistance from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), and other volunteer groups; (3) management courses or conferences and seminars; and (4) educational materials to assist in management of small business.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Existing and potential small business persons, and in some cases, members of community groups are eligible. A small business is one independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field. Generally for manufacturers, average employment not in excess of 500; wholesalers, average employment not in excess of 100; retail and services concerns, revenues not over $5,000,000, and agricultural enterprises, gross annual sales not over $500,000. Veterans are eligible for all programs.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Small business persons, veterans, community groups.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Personal or written application to SBA field offices.

Award Procedure:   Not applicable.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Upon request.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   As appropriate.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   None.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   73-0100-0-1-376.

Obligations:   (Salaries and Expenses) FY 99 $1,245,000; FY 00 est $1,280,000; and FY 01 est $1,406,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not applicable.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, management counseling was given to approximately 175,000 potential and existing small business entrepreneurs. Management training enrollment was 100,000 for the same period.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

"The Resource Directory for Small Business Management," from all SBA offices or by calling SBA's answer desk at 1-800-8-ASK-SBA; FAX: (202) 205-7064; TDD: (202) 205- 7333.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: