RICHARD T. ANDREWS: THE REAL DEAL PRESS: JUNE 2015

We've come to enjoy The Real Deal Press.  Please check out the June issue "Michael Brelo verdict, Muslim-bashing publisher runs for Bedford school board, how to create a new middle class, East Cleveland school supt. looking to double-dip, Ohio Realtists coming to town, African Dance & Drum Fest, Karamu Centennial, black president for Union Club, sclerotic Ohio Democratic Party, much more …" R.T. Andrews

Please read and download HERE

SHERROD BROWN HELPING OHIO WORKERS

Newsletter from Sherrod Brown

At the President’s State of the Union address, I was joined by Cookie Hall, a second-generation Cleveland steelworker who knows from experience that American workers are the most productive in the world. Cookie works at Cleveland Works, a steel plant owned by ArcelorMittal North America. Workers at this plant produce one ton of steel per each man hour of work – making it the most efficient steel plant in the world. There is no disputing that our workers are the most productive in the world, but there are steps we must take to make them the most innovative.

 

In his speech, President Obama echoed my call for the creation of a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Using Youngstown’s first-of-its-kind manufacturing innovation institute as a model, the President announced the launch of three more manufacturing hubs and called on Congress to help him create a network of 15 additional centers. Every region and every state has a role to play in helping maintain our innovative edge and these new hubs will help.

I’ve been working with small businesses, industry leaders, universities, and research institutions on legislation to create these important NNMI institutes. This network will retain U.S. leadership in a range of next-generation technologies, capitalize on our investment in basic research, and create thousands of high pay, high tech manufacturing jobs. By leveraging existing infrastructure and pockets of innovation across the country, NNMI provides small businesses with access to the tools and expertise needed to compete in the global economy. This will create regional magnets for cutting-edge research, talented students, and additional investments.

And we’ve already started to bring people and organizations together to spur 21st century innovation. Last year, we were able to bring the first-of-its-kind National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) to the Mahoning Valley – to the “Tech Belt” that extends from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. NAMII is a $70 million public-private partnership that can make Youngstown a world leader in new manufacturing technology – like 3-D printing. As the President mentioned in his address, “A once shuttered warehouse [in Youngstown] is now a state of the art lab where new workers are mastering the 3-D printing that has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.”

Collaboration is critical for our success – and an NNMI would provide small businesses and research institutions access to the tools and expertise needed to compete in the global economy. And it can also spur the creation of regional hubs of advanced manufacturing throughout the U.S.

American workers have the drive, the creative thinking, and the determination to out-innovate the rest of the world. We just need to make certain that they have the opportunity to do so.

Sincerely,



SHERROD BROWN'S POSITION ON SMALL BUSINESS

(From Senator Brown's newsletter)

 

 

Fighting for Ohio Small Businesses and Ensuring a Healthy Financial Sector

 

 

With nearly two-thirds of all new jobs created by small businesses, a thriving small business sector is essential to getting our nation’s economy back on track. However, following the recent financial crisis, too many small businesses have not been able to access the credit required to hire new workers and expand their operations. To help overcome these obstacles, Senator Brown works with the private sector to develop policies that will help small businesses succeed and ensure that our financial sector is working to support American businesses. 

 

 

Helping Small Businesses Access Capital and Promoting Emerging Small Businesses

 

Sen. Brown speaks with small business owners at a small business workshop in Columbus, OH.

 

Passed legislation to provide small businesses with much-needed capital, making it easier for small businesses to access loan programs through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Thanks to these resources, SBA, in 2011, approved 3,228 loans worth a record of $760 million for Ohio small businesses – representing a 58 percent increase from 2010. 

 

Authored the Business Incubator Promotion Act to provide support to existing and start-up companies, helping them to grow and create jobs.

 

Supported legislation reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)  program, the largest federal research and development initiative for small businesses. 

 

Worked on a bipartisan basis to pass legislation reducing red tape for small businesses filing tax returns. 

Helping Ohio Small Businesses Access Federal Resources

 

Senator Brown’s office has organized more than 30 small business workshops throughout Ohio with information on federal resources that help business owners grow and expand their business. These seminars have primarily focused on:                            Loan guarantee programs to help small businesses access capital.

Federal resources to help businesses find export opportunities and increase their export sales. 

 

Resources to help Ohio small businesses sell to the government. 

 

Tax relief through The Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit for Small Employers. 

 

Tax incentives to help small businesses purchase new equipment and expand.

 

                            If you would like more information on these workshops or available resources for small businesses, please visit www.brown.senate.gov or contact Senator Brown’s Office at (888) 896-OHIO.           

                

As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sen. Brown has consistently promoted a practical, Midwestern vision for the proper role of the financial sector in the broader economy.

 

Standing up to Wall Street Banks

 

Sen. Brown and SBA Administrator Karen Mills celebrate the record year of lending in Ohio with Costas Mavromichalis, owner  of Constantino's Market.

 

Introduced the SAFE Banking Act, legislation that would put an end to bailouts and protect taxpayers by placing sensible size and leverage limits on Wall Street mega-banks to prevent any single financial institution from becoming “too big to fail”.

Urged regulators to take steps to ensure that our nation’s largest banks were not engaging in risky, speculative investments with FDIC insured money.

Fighting for ConsumersVoted to establish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) which acts as a consumer advocate for all Americans and championed the nomination of Ohio’s Richard Cordray to serve as the CFPB’s first director.

Championed efforts to stop banks from charging excessive fees for ATM withdrawals and credit card purchases.

Supporting Ohio’s Banks and Credit UnionsCosponsored the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act, which raises the cap on the amount of loans credit unions can offer to small businesses that are hiring workers or expanding operations.

Advocated for the elimination of redundant banking regulations that are affecting ATMs. 

Quick Reference Guide

Small Business Administration www.SBA.gov 
                             Offices:
Cleveland Phone: (216) 522-4180
Columbus Phone: (614) 469-6860
Cincinnati Phone: (513) 684-2814


Export Assistance with the U.S. Commercial Servicehttp://trade.gov/cs/states/oh.asp
Cleveland Office: (216) 522-4750
Cincinnati Office: (513) 684-2944
Columbus Office: (614) 365-9510


Minority Business Development Agencywww.mbda.gov
Cleveland Office: (216) 592-2253


Ohio Small Business Development Centers
Phone: (614) 466-2718
For a list of local centers, visit: http://www.ohiosbdc.org/


Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Centershttps://development.ohio.gov/Minority/ptac.htm
Phone: (800) 848-1300


Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):http://www.consumerfinance.gov/


Federal Deposit Insurance Coporation (FDIC):http://www.fdic.gov/


FDIC – consumer protection:http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/                             

JUMPSTART INC. NON PROFIT MICRO LOAN PROGRAM

The Economic and Community Development Institute, one of the nation's largest micro lenders, opened its first Cleveland branch on Tuesday, July 18, 2012.  The branch is located at 6701 Carnegie Avenue. 

It's designed to help small businesses.

Read Plain Dealer article