{"id":1617,"date":"2022-02-03T02:19:56","date_gmt":"2022-02-03T02:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mysetaside.com\/newsevents\/?p=1617"},"modified":"2022-02-03T02:19:57","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T02:19:57","slug":"launch-of-small-business-digital-alliance-combat-cyber-attacks-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysetaside.com\/news-and-events\/launch-of-small-business-digital-alliance-combat-cyber-attacks-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Launch of Small Business Digital Alliance, Combat Cyber Attacks and More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\nU.S. Small Business Administration and Business Forward Announce Launch of the \u201cSmall Business Digital Alliance\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\n New Venture Will Convene Major Tech Companies, Players to Provide Small Businesses Free Access to Tools to Expand E-Commerce Footprint<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\nThe \nU.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)<\/a> and \nBusiness Forward, Inc.,<\/a> a non-profit organization working with small business leaders in support of policies promoting America\u2019s economic competitiveness, announced the launch of\n\nthe Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA)<\/a>. A joint public-private co-sponsorship, the SBDA will connect small businesses with critical tech resources to start and expand their e-commerce business to scale for success. The new initiative will also feature\n a series of free briefings and training to help small businesses access and utilize these digital tools to reach new markets, find diverse talent, improve operations, and raise capital.<\/p>\n

\nBeyond access to technical skills development and tools, the SBDA will play a significant role in helping entrepreneurs expand their networks, a key component for small businesses as they seek new customers and stronger relationships with vendors, lenders,\n and other stakeholders needed for success. Specifically, through the SBDA, the SBA and Business Forward will convene some of America\u2019s most respected leaders in business, government, economic development, and other aligned spaces to facilitate cooperation\n and help small business owners fully harness the power of technology to fuel growth.<\/p>\n

\nSmall businesses depend on a comprehensive suite of tools to expand their customer base, manage their growth, find and retain talent, and enter new markets, including globally, but often encounter obstacles. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s focus\n on equity and leveling the playing field, the collaboration with Business Forward through the SBDA will prioritize creating access to competitive opportunities and lowering barriers to entry for small businesses, especially those from historically underserved\n and disadvantaged communities across the country.<\/p>\n

\nThe SBA and Business Forward, along with Members of the SBDA, will also host a series of joint virtual and in-person events across the nation to include policy briefings on small business trends and showcase the digital tools small businesses can take advantage\n of — free of charge. A list of Members of the Small Business Digital Alliance will be released in the coming weeks. We encourage any and all companies interested in supporting small businesses with trainings, insights, and free digital tools to contact us\n to become part of SBDA at \ninfo@smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\nSBA Administrator Guzman Announces New Pilot Program to Bolster Cybersecurity Infrastructure of Emerging Small Businesses\n<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\nSBA will Award $3M in Grants to Help States, Entrepreneurs Combat Rise in Cyber Attacks and Threats<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\nAdministrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the \nU.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)<\/a>, announced $3 million in new funding for state governments to help emerging small businesses across America develop their cybersecurity infrastructure \u2013 a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration,\n\noutlined<\/a> in the President\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As part of the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program, through the Office of Entrepreneurial Development, state governments are eligible to compete for grants that will help deliver\n cybersecurity assistance to nascent and start-up business owners. Applications will be accepted from January 26, 2022, through March 3, 2022.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have adopted technology at high rates to survive, operate, and grow their businesses. As a result, cybersecurity has become increasingly important as now, more than ever before, small business owners face\n cyber risks and challenges that could disrupt their operations and competitive advantages. As we seek to build a stronger and more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, we must innovate and provide resources to meet the evolving needs of the growing number\n of small businesses. With this new funding opportunity, the SBA intends on leveraging the strengths across our state governments, territories, and tribal governments to provide services to help small businesses get cyber ready and, in the process, fortify\n our nation\u2019s supply chains,\u201d said \nSBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\nAbout the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nEligible applicants are comprised of state governments that seek to provide training, counseling, remediation, and other tailored cybersecurity services for emerging small firms in multiple industries. Grantees will be awarded up to $1 million to assist small\n businesses.<\/p>\n

\nFunding details and requirements are available at \nGrants.gov<\/a> under \u201cCybersecurity for Small Business Pilot\u201d <\/strong>(Funding Opportunity Number SB-OEDCS-22-001\/CDFA 59.079) offered by the SBA. Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline on the official grant application portal as stated\n in the funding announcement.<\/p>\n

\nTo learn more about SBA\u2019s programs and services related to cybersecurity, visit  \nwww.sba.gov\/cybersecurity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\nUSDA Announces New $1.4 Billion Government Guaranteed Loan Program for Food Supply Chain Businesses<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\nEffective immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is forming a Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program. The program is intended to expand access to financing for food systems infrastructure and create a more diverse and secure food supply chain in\n the United States. Funding will be available for applicants involved in aspects of the food chain such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or distribution of food.<\/p>\n

\nLoan amounts, rates, and terms for the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program are:<\/p>\n

\n\u2022 $40 million maximum loan amount and no minimum loan amount
\n\u2022 90% guarantee if the interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan at no greater than current WSJ Prime plus 200 basis points
\n\u2022 80% guarantee for all other loans
\n\u2022 Loan terms may not exceed 40 years
\n\u2022 No guarantee fees or annual renewal fees
\n\u2022 Available for all rural areas and urban communities anywhere in the US or territories
\n\u2022 Intangible assets can comprise up to 25% of the collateral stack<\/p>\n

\nApplicants must be for-profit or nonprofit businesses, cooperatives, federally-recognized Tribes, public bodies, or food supply chain entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

\nFind more information: Click\n Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nNC SBIR\/STTR <\/h1>\n

\nSession One: NC SBIR\/STTR Match and Incentive Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nJoin John Hardin and David Kaiser of the NC Board of Science, Technology and Innovation for an informative discussion about the One North Carolina Small Business Match and Incentive Programs. Learn details about the programs, eligibility criteria, how to apply\n and ask questions. Solicitations recently opened for both programs.<\/p>\n

\nDate:<\/strong> Thursday, February 10, 2022<\/p>\n

\nTime:<\/strong> 2PM ET<\/p>\n

\nRegistration:<\/strong> \nClick Here<\/a> <\/h3>\n

\nMore information:<\/strong>  Match\n and Inventive Program<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nSession Two: SBIR\/STTR Federal Funding Programs Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nJoin the SBTDC for a detailed overview of the SBIR \/ STTR federal R&D funding mechanisms for small businesses. In this 60 minute webinar, we will help you to understand:<\/p>\n