Norton's Small Business Fair Features D.C. Home Based Business and Help Weather Downturn (4/07/08)

The co-owner of a successful Ward 8 home-based commercial and residential cleaning small business will keynote Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's 5th Annual Small Business Access to Capital Fair on Tuesday, April 8th, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW (near 7th Street and New York Avenue). Norton selected the Spruill family business, Just Want to Work, LLC, co-owned by Patricia Spruill and her husband Granderson, with Ms. Spruill speaking for the family as keynote. "The Spruill family's achievement in building a successful business based at their home makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for small businesses here that will inspire the almost 400 small D.C. businesses who have registered," Norton said. There is no charge for the Fair, open only to D.C. businesses and residents. (near 7th Street and New York Avenue). Norton selected the Spruill family business, Just Want to Work, LLC, co-owned by Patricia Spruill and her husband Granderson, with Ms. Spruill speaking for the family as keynote. "The Spruill family's achievement in building a successful business based at their home makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for small businesses here that will inspire the almost 400 small D.C. businesses who have registered," Norton said. There is no charge for the Fair, open only to D.C. businesses and residents.

The Small Business Fair's emphasis on access to government contracts, bank and credit union loans, and the one-on-one advice from government representatives and lenders recognizes that small and large businesses alike are facing the worst economy in many years. "Nationally, small businesses encounter large challenges, even in good times," Norton said. "We may not technically be in a recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of decline in the gross national product, but try telling small businesses that today."

The Fair will make available, under one roof, all of the major actors and consultants a small business needs to get through this rough patch in the economy, Norton said. Among them will be PNC Bank Vice-President Gregory Real and NASA Federal Credit Union President Douglas Allman, who will discuss obtaining small business loans; Herbert Mills, an IRS Senior Tax Specialist who will discuss the bevy of benefits available to small businesses through the new Economic Stimulus package and a number of valuable business tax credits.

Morning and afternoon workshops feature how to finance small businesses; to receive federal and D.C. contracts; and to grow and market small business services and products.

Norton, chair of a subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal construction, leasing and rehabilitation nationwide, sponsors the small business fair annually as part of her work to improve the District's economy. "Our work in bringing big projects to the city, is about jobs and keeping the District's economy pumping," Norton said. "However, that doesn't happen automatically. Once the projects and leases get through the Congress, our work has just begun. Making sure that small businesses have a fair opportunity to benefit is a part of this effort.

Norton held a hearing in March on small business opportunities that will be available from the huge Department of Homeland Security Headquarters compound, coming to the west of St. Elizabeth's campus. Among the most recent projects Norton is directly responsible for are the Federal Southeast Center Public-Private Partnership Act (The Yards); the new Department of Transportation headquarters, and the rehabilitated Navy Yard, all in the M Street, S.E. area.

An outline of the program and what will be addressed follow:

Tentative Program...

9:00 - 10:45...................................Opening Session, Room 206

Welcome........................................Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Keynote Speaker.............................Mrs. Patricia Spruill, Owner, JUST WANT TO WORK

Speaker Series................................Eugene Cornelius, Jr., District Director

Washington Metropolitan Area District Office

U.S. Small Business Administration

Discussion Topic: The need to position your small business during this economic turn down and assistance available to help small businesses through the rough patches.

Herbert Mills, Senior tax Specialist

Internal Revenue Service

Discussion Topic: Economic Stimulus Package for Small Businesses, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Home Office Deductions, and Record Keeping and Business Tax Credits.

Douglas Allman, President

NASA Federal Credit Union

Discussion Topic: Competitive services federal credit unions offer small businesses.

Gregory Real, Vice President

PNC Bank

Discussion Topic: Services PNC Banks offer small businesses.

Questions will be answered immediately following the speaker series. Please write your name and question on the index card provided and give them to a Norton Team member.

10:45 - 11:00................................ Break

11:00 - 12:00................................ Morning Workshops

Entrepreneurial Development, Room

Federal Government Contracting, Room

12:00 - 12:30.................................Lunch On Your Own

Convention Center Food Services Available

12:45 - 1:45.................................. Afternoon Workshops

Financing Your Small Business, Room

District Government Contracting, Room

1:45 - 4:00....................................One-on-One Sessions

Room 202AB