SAN JOSE, Calif., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — SaaS Markets has been selected among 29 other companies from around the world to present at Launch: Silicon Valley 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120531/CG16302)

Launch: Silicon Valley exists as a demonstration platform to uncover and showcase products and services from the most exciting of the newest startups in information technology, mobility, digital media, next generation internet, life sciences and clean energy.

The event, to be held June 5, 2012 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Microsoft’s Mountain View Campus, is Silicon Valley’s most influential, high visibility platform for emerging technology companies to springboard their products or services into the market.

“We are honored to have been chosen to present at this prestigious event, and look forward to sharing our vision with the audience of VC’s and Media representatives” said Ferdi Roberts, CEO of SaaS Markets. “Many great companies have emerged from this event in the past, and we have every intention of joining that list in the coming years” he added.

“This had been a very exciting year for startups and entrepreneurs worldwide. The level of innovation and competence of this year’s Launch: Silicon Valley presenting companies is a validation of the success, growth and impact that Launch: Silicon Valley has had since the first event in 2005,” said Chris Gill, SVForum CEO.

SaaS Markets was chosen from over 400 applicants, and will be presenting in the subcategory, Next Generation Internet. MarketMaker™, the company’s first product is a web-based platform that designs and delivers fully branded Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) app stores for the B2B market. In May 2012 SaaS Markets also launched the SaaS Commerce Network™, allowing SaaS developers the opportunity to expose their SaaS business application to a global audience via this worldwide network of dedicated app stores encompassing 32 stores in 23 countries reaching over 71 million small to medium sized businesses.

About SaaS Markets
SaaS Markets, based in San Jose, California and Dublin, Ireland, designs and delivers App Stores for the Software as a Service (SaaS) market.  Through relationships with major Financial Institutions, Retail Brands, Technology Companies, Small Business Associations and leading Brands, SaaS Markets is bringing Software as a Service to millions of small and medium sized businesses across the globe. SaaS Markets offers individual businesses a user-friendly portal that makes it easy to choose the SaaS tool that is right for your business needs. Simply visit the store and experience how effectively your business can run.

Media Contact: Carrie Smith SaaS Markets, 408-961-7516, carrie.smith@saasmarkets.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE SaaS Markets

LONDON, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – North American virtual office provider Allied Offices is announcing its expansion into England with the installment of twelve office centers in the greater London metropolitan area. London, one of the largest cities in the world and with a great reputation as a business hub, is a perfect choice to host your virtual office address.

With locations in twelve of London‘s prestigious neighborhoods, each of the virtual office spaces will serve as an amazing option for businesses to express their expertise. Offices will be located at the following locations:

• Regent St – Located near the busiest tube station in London, surrounded by landmarks The Langham Hilton Hotel and BBC Headquarters.
• York St – Surrounded by major corporations and high-end businesses and shopping.
• Hanover St – Located in the famous Mayfair district, which is known housing exclusive brand name companies.
• Mayfair – In the center of the Mayfair district with a tube station in close proximity.
• Berkley St – In the Mayfair district surrounded by the Ritz hotel and the Green Park tube station.
• Canary Wharf – A great option for an affordable London office with a well-recognized name as a business location.
• Baker St – Historical location with a strong reputation as a business locale.
• Soho Square – Media industry leading location.
• Oxford St – Office located in the center of one of London‘s most well known shopping districts.
• Basil St – A location full of nearby restaurants and important department stores.
• Paddington – Close to Paddington station and Heathrow Airport is a great location with plenty of transport options.
• Fleet St – Famous building on landmark Fleet Street.

Allied Offices provides small businesses with a full package that includes virtual office assistants, meeting rooms, and a live virtual secretary. By offering a virtual office, Allied Offices cuts the cost of a typical office space, while still providing a renowned London address and paid utilities. The services included are a local or toll-free telephone and fax number, electronic fax, digital voicemail, and unified messaging to facilitate more efficient communication between company and client. In addition, Allied Offices provides voice conference capabilities, voicemail to fax, fax to email, and screening and forwarding so that information always reaches company.

Allied Offices sister company TelAssistant provides all premier live answering services for the Allied Offices locations, including remote live receptionist services, virtual assistants, appointment scheduling and high end customer service for office tenants. The TelAssistant virtual receptionists schedule appointments, process orders and are fully trained to specifications by the business owner to ensure that they embody the professional quality of service to fit the company name.

For more information on TelAssistant please visit (telassistant.com), or call 866-574-4555. Follow TelAssistant on Twitter at (twitter.com/telassistant) or on Facebook at (facebook.com/telassistant).

Nathan Strum
866.514.4555
nstrum@telassistant.com

SOURCE TelAssistant

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – TargetX, one of the nation’s leading providers of technology and services to higher education, is hosting its fifth annual users conference July 9 and 10 in Las Vegas. Known as the “Xpert Summit,” the conference has developed a reputation for sharing tips, trends and best practices in building relationships with prospective students and other key constituencies.

As a result, says Marketing VP Adrienne Hamson, TargetX will open its sessions to non-clients so they too can benefit from a program focused on succeeding in an increasingly challenging environment for higher education.

“Our users conference is unique because it includes a ton of practical information that goes beyond TargetX products or services,” she said. ”We spend as much time talking about industry trends and best practices as we do about TargetX.”

The conference will bring together admissions professionals, marketing officers and information technology staffs from colleges around the country to learn how to make better use of the company’s tools and services and to share their successes and challenges with colleagues.

“Much of the content is ‘best practice’ in nature,” said Hamson, who has organized the conference since it was first held in Philadelphia in 2008.  ”And we’ve asked our clients to take a much bigger role this year in presenting what they’re doing with technology, the campus visit and other tools necessary to be successful these days.”

Some of the sessions include:

- Web Analytics & Email Intelligence: Smarter Marketing Saves Money
- Transforming Campus Culture to Support the Campus Visit Experience
- Managing the Millennials: Getting the Most Out of Your Staff
- “Grad is the New Undergrad” and Other Trending Topics
- Success Stories: How We Started Small and Stayed Focused

In addition, Coker College President Robert Wyatt will present a general session, “Overthrowing Dead Culture: The Perspective of a President.”  And Jeff Kallay, TargetX’s VP of Consulting and one of higher education’s top thought leaders, will deliver his inaugural “State of the Industry” address.

Kallay will also team up with colleague Trent Gilbert to lead the fifth annual eXperience eXcursion following the official close of the program. This year, they have arranged a bus trip to rarely seen parts of Las Vegas to help participants do a better job of showing accepted students what life is really like on their campus.

For more information on the Xpert Summit, contact Adrienne Hamson at 877.715.7474 or adrienne@targetx.com.

Or visit www.targetx.com/summit2012

About TargetX

TargetX is a unique higher education company that offers both technology tools and consulting services designed to help colleges recruit today’s more sophisticated, web-savvy students. Founded in 1998 on the belief that colleges need to change the way they communicate with prospects and their families, TargetX has been a leader in managing change in higher education and embracing the concept of the experience in higher ed marketing.

More recently, TargetX launched an Education & Training Center (ETC) where admissions professionals can collaborate and brainstorm with colleagues and thought leaders through coursework and office retreats.

To learn more, visit www.targetx.com

SOURCE TargetX

NEW YORK, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Newtek Business Services, NASDAQ: NEWT, The Small Business Authority, announced the release of the SB Authority Index for April 2012 reaching 111.42 points.  The SB Authority index is down .06% from March 2012. The decline was led by approved SBA gross lending volume and the Russell microcap index.

President and CEO, Barry Sloane said, “The SB Authority index has been increasing over the past 16 months and we are sorry to report the streak of increases from the previous month has been broken as The SB Authority index is down slightly from March 2012.  As in most cases, financial markets lead the economy.  The leading causes for the indexes decline in the last month was fueled by equity prices in the Russell microcap index and approved SBA gross lending volumes.  Liquidity and financing are the mothers’ milk of the economy and the reduced cost of equity capital and availability in debt could be a precursor to weak economic activity in the small business market.  Unless these capital market factors reverse course, this may be a caution for weaker economic statistics going forward.”

About Newtek Business Services, Inc.

Newtek Business Services, The Small Business Authority, provides the following products and services:

• Electronic Payment Processing: eCommerce, electronic solutions to accept non-cash payments, including credit and debit cards, check conversion, remote deposit capture, ACH processing, and electronic gift and loyalty card programs.
• Managed Technology Solutions (Cloud Computing): Full-service web host, which offers eCommerce solutions, shared and dedicated web hosting and related services including domain registration and online shopping cart tools.
• eCommerce:  A suite of services that enable small businesses to get up and running on-line quickly and cost effectively, with integrated web design, payment processing and shopping cart services.
• Business Lending: Broad array of lending products including SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans through our lending subsidiary, Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc.
• Insurance Services: Commercial and personal lines of insurance, including health and employee benefits in all 50 states, working with over 40 insurance carriers.
• Web Services: Customized web design and development services.
• Data Backup, Storage and Retrieval: Fast, secure, off-site data backup, storage and retrieval designed to meet the specific regulatory and compliance needs of any business.
• Accounts Receivable Financing: Receivable purchasing and financing services.
• Payroll: Complete payroll management and processing services.

Newtek Business Services, Inc., The Small Business Authority, is a direct distributor of a wide range of business services and financial products to the small- and medium-sized business market under the Newtek ^® brand. Since 1999, Newtek has helped small- and medium-sized business owners realize their potential by providing them with the essential tools needed to manage and grow their businesses and to compete effectively in today’s marketplace. Newtek provides its services to over 100,000 business accounts and has positioned the Newtek ^® brand as a one-stop-shop provider of such business services. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are over 27.5 million small businesses in the United States, which in total represent 99.7% of all employer firms.

Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release including statements regarding Newtek’s beliefs, expectations, intentions or strategies for the future, may be “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, intensified competition, operating problems and their impact on revenues and profit margins, anticipated future business strategies and financial performance, anticipated future number of customers, business prospects, legislative developments and similar matters. Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions, which could cause Newtek’s actual results to differ from management’s current expectations, are contained in Newtek’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through http://www.sec.gov.

Rubenstein Public Relations
Telephone: (212) 843-9335
Contact: Jonathan Goldberg / jgoldberg@rubensteinpr.com

SOURCE Newtek Business Services

RALEIGH, N.C., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless, which empowers customers with the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G LTE network and the largest and most reliable 3G network, has launched the Wireless Technology Innovation Awards. Sponsored by Cisco, Ericsson, Alcatel Lucent and Motorola, the award recognizes innovation at small to mid-sized organizations in North Carolina from the coast to the Triad.

Businesses, non-profit groups and other institutions will be honored for their ingenuity by demonstrating their use of Verizon Wireless mobile technology to truly innovate operations and serve their customers. Whether organizations use the latest mobile devices like the 4G LTE Motorola RAZR Maxx, tablet devices like the Motorola Xyboard, or unique applications developed to run on Verizon’s equipment, Verizon is interested in learning how these products are helping businesses improve and deliver for their clients.

“With a portfolio of leading devices, network strength and the speed of 4G LTE, Verizon Wireless is able to give organizations in North Carolina a tremendous advantage in moving business forward,” said Verizon Wireless regional president Jerry Fountain. “The value and innovation that these organizations bring to our part of the country is overwhelming, and it is our privilege to recognize their efforts.”

Judging Criteria

Verizon business customers who participate will be required to share their initial workplace challenges and exhibit how Verizon solutions were implemented to address those hurdles in unique and innovative ways. Participants also will need to explain the benefits of the implemented solutions, as well as how using Verizon solutions has positively affected their business.

Two winners – one for organizations with up to 49 employees and one for organizations with 50 to 500 employees – will earn a $10,000 cash award from Verizon Wireless and receive recognition at an exclusive awards luncheon attended by local businesses, associations and civic leaders. These winners will also be featured in a Verizon “Put Your Business on the Map” video which will highlight the winner’s business, services and/or products and how they leverage wireless technology.

Entries for the “Wireless Technology Innovation Awards” are due by Aug. 31 and will be evaluated by Verizon Wireless executives and local business leaders. Winners will be announced at the awards luncheon on Oct. 25 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information on the contest and to enter, visit the official Wireless Technology Innovation Awards Web site at www.vzwinnovationawards.com.

Verizon Wireless Updates on Twitter

Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in the Carolinas/Tennessee region by following @VZWKarenS on Twitter at https://twitter.com/VZWkarens. For the latest network-related news, information and upgrades follow @VZWNews on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

FORESTVILLE, Calif., May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, Co-Founders of America’s top-selling wine brand, Barefoot Wine, will attend Book Expo America (BEA) in New York City, NY, June 5 -7, 2012.  Houlihan and Harvey will be available in person to answer questions and talk about their forthcoming book, The Barefoot Spirit, at BEA on June 5 from 2 to 3 p.m., and on June 6 from 3 to 4 p.m., and again on June 7 from 2 to 3 p.m., in booth number 2035 at Javits Convention Center at 655 West 34th. Street, New York, NY.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120529/CG14946)

Houlihan and Harvey have written a fast-paced book detailing how hardship, hustle and heart built their bestselling brand and how they went from the laundry room of their rented farmhouse in Sonoma County, California to the board room with no firsthand experience, no inside knowledge of the wine industry, and no paid advertising.  The Barefoot Spirit is the true story of the business and lifestyle cornerstones that Houlihan and Harvey used to build an American wine icon. It provides an uncommon peak behind the curtain at how wine actually gets to the consumer, and what it really takes to succeed in business and in life!

You can meet authors Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey in person at BEA, booth 2035, June 5 – 7, in New York City to learn more about the valuable first-hand business knowledge they gained from real life experiences.

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey founded Barefoot Wines in 1986.  They are speakers, consultants, and authors of The Barefoot Spirit which chronicles the history of the Barefoot Wine brand from the brand’s humble beginnings to its best seller status and acquisition. They believe the very best marketing is done with the greater good in mind.  You can learn more at www.barefootwinefounders.com.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, please call 707-484-1600 or email Michael at michael@barefootwinefounders.com or Bonnie at bonnie@barefootwinefounders.com, or visit www.barefootwinefounders.com.

Media Contact: Michael Houlihan Footnotes Press LLC, 707-484-1600, michael@barefootwinefounders.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Barefoot Wine

LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Cloud computing is the IT trend du jour, and the term has spawned a variety of definitions and promises from different “experts.” With its new version of the semYOU Cloud Office (www.semyou.com), scheduled to be launched in late May, app computing system semYOU is taking users beyond the hype by offering businesses a comprehensive, flexible cloud-based enterprise office system based on software-as-a-service.

Now businesses that need software for human resources, project, task, scheduling management and more can gain access to required applications by simply pointing and clicking. The new semYOU Cloud Office is a complete software infrastructure for small or large companies that want to be flexible, are working globally and collaborate with different partners worldwide.

“In less than three minutes, a business can make the whole software infrastructure of semYou available for individual users, teams, projects or the whole company, complete with an administration suite for managing users, groups, rights and licenses, security as well as customization,” said Volker Jahns, CEO of semYOU LLC.

The system provides users with 15 enterprise apps such as Task-Manager, Project-Manager, Project-Timer-Recording and more that all users in the Cloud Office may use. The array of applications makes it possible for IT departments to deploy a full software suite for ongoing projects via the cloud without having to change software infrastructure or increase costs.

“The big advantage of implementing a virtual office via semYOU Cloud Office is that you have the ability to be flexible and scalable for each new situation in your business,” said Jahns. “Instead of your being stuck with a rigid system architecture that’s dedicated to specific applications, the new enterprise app idea from semYOU is to enable you to use professional apps for each business case, just when you need them.”

An additional benefit is that users do not have to deal with software installations, downloads or any other changes to their computers.

The semYou enterprise app system is designed as a low-cost model, and businesses can create virtual offices for their teams starting at $15 user/month for a minimum duration of one month. That means if 10 individuals use the system’s applications, the business pays $150 for that month, and users are not restricted to the same app.

“With semYOU, the cloud finally gets a face,” stated Jahns. “We’re demonstrating how the Internet will look tomorrow for business.”

For more information about semYOU, visit:
http://www.semyou.com

About semYOU

Founded in 2009 by Volker Jahns, semYOU LLC is now the leading global cloud company for business applications. Its core app platform is semYOU, the first semantic online operating system that offers users a completely new web experience.

For more information, graphs, photos or interviews, please contact:

semYOU LLC
13101 Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90066
press@semyou.com

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE semYOU LLC

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Mosaic Business Solutions, a leading provider of managed print services (MPS), has been named one of the 50 fastest-growing companies in South Florida for the second consecutive year by the South Florida Business Journal.

Only companies with headquarters in South Florida, with minimum revenue of $1 million in 2011 and in business for at least three years, were taken into consideration by the Journal’s research department. The 50 finalists for the fastest growing will be announced in ranking order at a private reception on Tuesday, June 19th at the offices of the Patriot National Insurance Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“We’re honored to be included again amongst the fastest-growing companies in South Florida,” said Mosaic’s founder Grant Sadowski. “The largest impact on our growth this last year has been the steady economic recovery. We feel very positive about the future with all we are seeing in the industry and I am excited about the team around me and their ability to continue to provide unparalleled customer service to our client base.”

Founded in 2005, Mosaic Business Solutions is an industry leader in managed print services based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Mosaic’s focus is on banking, insurance, law, accounting, and other verticals where their print optimization services are specifically catered to the needs of companies in those industries. Some of the leading businesses in South Florida that are utilizing custom Mosaic solutions include Bank United, Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, Daszkal Bolton, the City of Coral Springs and Ocean Bank.

About Mosaic Business Solutions
Mosaic Business Solutions focuses on working with medium and large businesses headquartered in South Florida to achieve cost avoidance and efficiency by optimizing print environments. Our assessment process is helping these businesses manage their entire fleet of office equipment and streamlining the relationship for all hardware, supply and maintenance needs. Much of the value comes from ongoing meetings with clients to uncover new and developing areas for savings and process improvement. For more information: http://www.seemosaic.com

Contact:

Matthew Craine
Mosaic Business Solutions
954-738-2417
matthewcraine@gmail.com

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Mosaic Business Solutions

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — TCM, Inc. d/b/a NWA Executive Coaching Solutions, an executive coaching, leadership development, and team building organization, has been awarded a GSA Schedule 874 contract and are now certified to provide services to the Federal Government. Acknowledging the growth in federal spending through the General Services Administration (GSA), NWA Executive Coaching Solutions has placed their professional services on the government’s electronic ordering system, GSA Advantage!®.

“As a women owned small business, the opportunity to service federal agencies and help them take control of some of their costs opens up significantly more markets throughout the country,” states Teresa Ray, President and Senior Executive Coach at NWA Executive Coaching Solutions. She continues, “Coaching is most effective when practiced in person, on the client’s turf and over several months. Our company can now expand our reach beyond the federal level to numerous state and municipal governments throughout the country as they will be able to take advantage of our services at set government pricing and enjoy the same leadership development, team building, and coaching services as private enterprise.”

NWA Executive Coaching Solutions provides top-tier coaching and organizational development services.  They consider themselves the athletic coaches of the business world. Ms. Ray adds: “While a senior executive may possess all of the fundamental hard skills they need to succeed, often times they may need to fine tune the soft people skills in order to be a more effective leader; outside guidance and coaching gives them another perspective that raises their level of effective leadership and helps guide the company’s growth.” NWA Executive Coaching Solutions provides Executive, Personal, Team, and Career Coaching as well as facilitating and training in areas such as Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Change Management, Building High Performance Teams, and a host of other workshops and customized services.

About NWA Executive Coaching Solutions:
NWA Executive Coaching Solutions emphasizes Leadership, Emotional/Social Intelligence, Effective Communication, and High Performing Teams.  They build on their client’s strengths and help them to reach their peak performance while maintaining a valuable work/life balance. A founding partner of the John C. Maxwell Team, the company’s president, Teresa Ray, is also an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas, College of Education, where she lectures on leadership and effective team building. Visit: www.nwacoach.com for more information.

Contact for NWA Executive Coaching Solutions: Teresa Ray, President at 479.966.9102

GSA Applications managed the tender process on behalf of NWA Executive Coaching Solutions, facilitating the application preparation, submission and negotiations with government buyers at the GSA. With over 800 schedules awarded to date, Tampa FL based GSA Applications leverages its industry-leading experience and in-house staff of specialists to deliver professional government marketing services to businesses. Visit www.gsaapplications.com for more information.

SOURCE NWA Executive Coaching Solutions

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Obama Administration today announced a $26 million multi-agency Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge to foster innovation-fueled job creation through public-private partnerships. These coordinated investments will help catalyze and leverage private capital, build an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and promote cluster-based development in regions across the United States. This is the third round of the Jobs Accelerator competition, which is being funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); the U.S. Department of Energy; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration; the Small Business Administration; and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO)

“This $26 million Accelerator Challenge is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to supporting American manufacturers in building things here and selling them everywhere,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. “We are so pleased to join with our federal agency partners to further strengthen the American manufacturing sector, which creates high quality, good paying jobs. Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has a strong record of investing in regional innovation clusters that foster the job creation and business development crucial to an economy that is built to last. This Challenge further bolsters our efforts and builds on the momentum we have seen in the manufacturing sector in recent months, including the 489,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs that have been added since January 2010.”

Advanced manufacturing is critical to the health of the national economy and provides essential goods and equipment directly to consumers as well as to a wide range of industries, including the energy production, agriculture, medical and computing industries, and the security and intelligence sectors.

“The Accelerator Challenge is one way the federal government is helping to support the manufacturing industry, a vital source of middle-class jobs,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The innovative products developed as a result of this federal grant program will help our economy maintain its global competitive advantage, while also creating jobs at home.”

Manufacturing accounts for 70 percent of private-sector R&D and 60 percent of U.S. exports–including a record $1.2 trillion in goods exported in 2011. Over the past 25 months, manufacturers have created nearly half a million jobs–the best streak since 1995. The Jobs Accelerator Challenge is designed to assist the development and implementation of regionally-driven economic development strategies that will support advanced manufacturing and cluster development. The goal is to create jobs, grow the economy, and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers in the global marketplace.

“‘Made in America’ is making a comeback,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs Accelerator is an opportunity to build on the momentum we’re seeing in U.S. manufacturing and to support small businesses and local economies through regional innovation clusters.  By working with other federal agencies, we can link, leverage, and align our resources to give small businesses the tools they need to work together, grow and create jobs in the manufacturing sector.”

Approximately 12 projects are expected to be chosen through a competitive inter-agency grant process. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that will help grow a region’s industry clusters by strengthening connections to regional economic development opportunities and advanced manufacturing assets; enhance a region’s capacity to create high-quality sustainable jobs; develop a skilled and diverse advanced manufacturing workforce; increase exports; encourage the development of small businesses; and accelerate technological innovation.

“Through this partnership, the National Science Foundation will connect innovations from NSF-supported advanced manufacturing research with stakeholders who can accelerate technology commercialization and economic growth,” said Thomas Peterson, NSF Assistant Director for Engineering. “NSF is making available up to $1 million for existing NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II grantees that are part of winning projects.”

The deadline for applications is July 9, 2012, and guidelines for submissions are accessible here. In addition to the six funding partners, the initiative is supported by eight other Federal agencies: U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, Housing and Urban Development; Environmental Protection Agency; Denali Commission; and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA), and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

“As President Obama made clear, an American economy built to last will depend on American manufacturing, American energy and skills for American workers,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “This is why the Energy Department invests in innovative, public-private initiatives like the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge that support American leadership and competitiveness in manufacturing.”

As part of President Obama’s commitment to putting more people back to work and creating an economy built to last, the Administration has invested over $200 million promoting regional innovation clusters. The Administration also created an interagency task force, known as the Taskforce for the Advancement of Regional Innovation Clusters (TARIC), to develop and administer interagency grant competitions. More than a dozen federal agencies have participated in TARIC-led grant competitions by providing grant funding or other forms of support to the winners of the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenges.

Contact: Emily Cain (202) 205-6940 emily.cain@sba.gov
DOC: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085, jatwood@doc.gov
DOL: Mary Brandenberger, (202) 693-4651, Brandenberger.Mary@dol.gov or Jason Kuruvilla, (202) 693-6587, Kuruvilla.Jason@dol.gov
NSF: Joshua Chamot, (703) 292-7730, jchamot@nsf.gov

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs
Web Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration