The SBA Advantage

This workshop will help you gain a better understanding of the various U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and services that are available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their businesses. 

General information will be provided on the following programs and services:

• SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business
• MSBDC – Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
• BICs - Business Resource Centers
• SBA Guaranty Loan Programs: 7(a), Micro Loans, Patriot and SBA Express Loans, and CDC/504 Loan
• Government Contracting Opportunities: 8(a) Business Development, HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones), Small Disadvantaged Business, and Surety Bonding (when applicable, 2 years in business experience required)
• Disaster Assistance 

This free two-hour program is offered on various dates and locations. Please contact the appropriate agency to register (see chart below for details).

Date & Time	Location & Details
Wed, June 19 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.	Brockton Career Works, 34 School Street, Brockton To register, contact the Brockton Career Works at 508-513-3400
Thu, June 20 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon	Plymouth Career Center, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 200, Plymouth To register, contact the Plymouth Career Center at 508-732-5399

Free Legal Clinic (offered monthly)

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDC) is very pleased to announce that the prestigious law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP has generously offered to hold free legal clinics for small businesses in our office and outreach sites. 

On the second Friday afternoon of each month, you can meet with one of Partridge Snow & Hahn’s attorneys to discuss general legal questions such as corporate structure, leases, contracts, insurance, employment, franchising, etc.  Appointments are free and completely confidential.

Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP (www.psh.com) is a full service business law and litigation firm with offices in Providence, RI and New Bedford and Westborough, MA.

Any business participating in the clinic will be expected to sign a general waiver regarding conflicts, etc. 

These free, 30-minute confidential meetings are held monthly at various locations in Southeastern Massachusetts. Details are below.

Dates: Ongoing - second Friday of the month
Times: 1:00 - 4:30 pm (30-minute appointment)
Location: Various locations
Cost: Free
Contact: Alison Moriarty at 508-673-9783 ext.10 to schedule a free & confidential
30-minute appointment

Summer Networking

SNEEF’s is holding its annual clam boil and summer networking event on June 13. The program will feature speaker Bill Hulbig, founder and CEO of the International Capital Exchange, who will talk about how companies can make better decisions to reach their long term goals 

Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Advanced Technology Manufacturing Center 151 Martine Street, Fall River
Cost:  Affiliate Member - $25, Member - $20, Non-member - $30, Student - $20
Contact: Click here to register online with SNEEF 

Sponsored by the Southern New England Entrepreneurs Forum

Cosponsored by SEED Corporation, Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, U.S. Small Business Administration, New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, New Bedford Economic Development Council and SCORE

Making the Most of your Online Presence: Simple Strategies that Make a Difference

Are you an owner of a small- to medium-sized business who is not sure you are making the most of your online presence? Do you not have the time or budget for complicated fixes and SEO consultants?

In this seminar you will learn some simple strategies that you can easily use to:  

• Expand and update your online presence
• Optimize your search engine ranking
• Leverage your existing marketing tactics
• Attract more customers

Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Bristol Community College, New Bedford Campus, 800 Purchase Street,
Room NH213, 2nd Floor, New Bedford
Cost: Free
Contact: Register online with link below or Alison Moriarty at 508-673-9783 ext. 10

Cosponsored by Downtown New Bedford Inc. & Force 4 Photography

Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Summit 2013

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is pleased to host the first statewide Advanced Manufacturing Summit in Foxborough. This full-day summit will bring together hundreds of leading executives and managers from the manufacturing industry to share best practices, network, and discuss future opportunities and challenges.

Guest speakers include:

• Governor Deval Patrick
• Chancellor Martin Meehan, UMass Lowell
• Tim Murray, President, Worcester Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Martin A. Schmidt, Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Date: Thursday, June 20, 2013
Time: Program 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Reception 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Gillette Stadium, One Patriot  Place, Foxborough (reception at The Hall at Patriot Place)
Cost: $50
Contact: Click here for further information and to register.

LinkedIn for the Business Professional (with some "Tweets" mixed in!)

LinkedIn is the number ONE Social Media network for businesses and professionals. There are more than 120 million professionals worldwide who are on LinkedIn, 36% are key decision makers.

This LinkedIn workshop will cover: profile building and guidelines; best practices for maximum results; company pages, groups and applications; targeting and approaching prospects and building your network. We will also check out how small business owners are using Twitter to establish a brand online, keep their customers informed and discover new ideas.

It is preferred that attendees without a LinkedIn account, sign up for one in advance of this workshop.

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Cherry & Webb Building, 139 South Main Street, Fall River
Cost: Free
Contact: Register online with link below or Alison Moriarty at 508-673-9783 ext. 10

Cosponsored by the Fall River Office of Economic Development

Small Business Time Management

For all small business owners, there never seems to be enough time in the day. You're always juggling all the hats you wear. Add in social media, mobile devices, and there never seems to be down time.

Join us for this free workshop to learn techniques and tools small business owners can use in today's 24/7 environment.

Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Cherry & Webb/UMass Dartmouth Building, 139 South Main Street, Fall River
Cost: Free
Contact: Register online with link below or Alison Moriarty at 508-673-9783 ext. 10