MINNESOTA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS2005 SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT INSTRUCTIONS

Due Date: June 30, 2005

Reporting Period: January 1, 2005 – May 31, 2005

Reports Required: Narrative Report

Copies Required: Electronic copy only (Microsoft Word)

The narrative report describes the region’s actions and accomplishments during the reporting period, January 1, 2005 – May 31, 2005, in the activity areas proposed to SBA and incorporated in the Cooperative Agreement.

As stated in the grant contract, each center shall “work to advance the goals and priorities of the SBDC strategic plan…and otherwise respond to reasonable requests by SBA and the STATE to further the goals of the Minnesota SBDC program.” This includes accomplishing the objectives and activities set forth in the proposal, incorporated herein and made part of the questions below. Therefore, some activity in each of the numbered categories (e.g. 100, 200, etc.) is expected of each region. If no activity has occurred, or if activity was attempted but no result occurred (e.g. training event to address identified need but cancelled due to low registration) in a numbered category, explain why and how the center will/did respond.

Because these instructions are based on the current three-year proposal cycle program objectives, 2005 through 2007, many of the section questions have been revised. Additionally, two new categories have been added: 1900 Manufacturing and 2000 Online Activity.

An explanation is not required for categories 1000, 1300-1500, and 1700.

INCOMPLETE REPORTS OR REPORTS NOT PROVIDING SUFFICIENT DETAIL OR EXPLANATION WILL BE RETURNED.

Please use the narrative format template provided following the semi-annual report instructions to enter narrative responses. Do NOT delete questions when responding. Style formatting front style, color and size (e.g. Times New Roman) used in the instructions should be the same style used for the center category responses. Final reports should be sent electronically (word format) to the state office on or before the due date. The Program Income Report and Financial Report will be prepared by the state office based on invoices submitted prior to July 1, 2005.

[ENTER REGIONAL NAME]SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT

January 1, 2005 –May 31, 2005

Submitted

[enter date submitted]

MILESTONE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Refer to the regional counseling and training milestone goals in the chart below.

1. Has the region met its counseling goals for the reporting period? Counseling hours should be at least 41%.

[Enter response]

2. Has the region met its training goals for the reporting period? Training seminars should be at least 41%.

[Enter response]

3. If the region has not met its counseling and training goals for the reporting period, provide an explanation.

[Enter response]

Grey indicates semi-annual report goal through May 31st.

Clients Hours Sessions AttendeesCenter

Annual Goal

YTD Goal

Annual Goal

YTD Goal

Annual Goal

YTD Goal

Annual Goal

YTD Goal

Bemidji 260 108 2,500 1,042 26 11 306 128Brainerd 320 133 4,000 1,667 17 7 240 100Duluth 500 208 5,300 2,208 52 22 624 260Moorhead 200 83 3,600 1,500 10 4 124 52Region 240 98 2,500 1,042 10 4 120 50Rochester 300 125 3,600 1,500 10 4 120 50St. Cloud 300 123 3,100 1,292 10 4 120 50St. Thomas 400 167 4,300 1,792 18 8 216 90Southwest 300 125 3,700 1,542 10 4 118 49State Office 0 0 4 2 3,000 1,250State Total 2,820 1,175 32,600 13,583 167 70 4,988 2,078

COUNSELING TRAINING

MILESTONE GOALS

ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY SBA ACTIVITY AREA

100 Advocacy

1. Describe any presentations the SBDC has made to local business or economic development organizations regarding small business issues or SBDC services.

[Enter response]

2. Describe invitations the SBDC has extended to local business or economic development organizations, lenders, elected officials, partners or others to visit the SBDC to better understand its offerings, and the results.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any articles offered by SBDC personnel to newsletters, newspapers or other media concerning issues of importance to the small business community, and the results.

[Enter response]

4. Did the SBDC nominate a candidate for the Small Business Week awards? If so, describe.

[Enter response]

5. Describe any Small Business Week or similar activities conducted by the region, or in which center personnel participated.

[Enter response]

6. Describe any small business functions (not described in Item 1 of this category) at which SBDC personnel represented the SBDC. Examples, “Business after Hours” meetings or Chamber of Commerce events.

[Enter response]

7. Report any activity of presentations or testimony given by the SBDC to elected officials.

[Enter response]

200 Capital Formation

1. Has the region met its loan-packaging goal for the reporting period? If the region has not met its goals for the reporting period, provide an explanation. Total approved loan packages should be at least 41% completed for the semi-annual report.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any work the region has done to maintain existing relationships with sources of capital to promote mutual understanding of programs and services and encourage cross-referrals and the results.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any new relationships with sources of capital the region has established and the results.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any training or written materials provided to counselors regarding public and private sources of financing, including both traditional sources and emerging or innovative sources.

[Enter response]

5. Describe any training or written materials provided to clients regarding public and private sources of financing, including both traditional sources and emerging or innovative sources.

[Enter response]

6. Describe any SBA lender training offered during the reporting period, including dates, topics, number of participants, and presenters.

[Enter response]

300 Innovation and Technology Transfer

1. Describe efforts to provide technology assessments or counseling regarding appropriate and profitable applications of technology and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Report on the offering of seminars on topics such as e-commerce Internet marketing (business-to-consumer and business-to-business), technology-based productivity enhancements, and other technology related topics in collaboration with Minnesota Technology, Inc. and/or other partners.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any work the region has done to maintain existing relationships with technology-oriented organizations in order to expand the array of technology-based expertise available to small companies.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any new relationships the region has established with technology-oriented organizations and the resulting impact for clients.

[Enter response]

5. Describe any assistance provided to inventors by the SBDC. Include participation in the Minnesota Inventors Congress and referrals to the SBIR/STTR Coordinator of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, if applicable.

[Enter response]

6. Describe the use of electronic counseling by the region, and assess its effectiveness.

[Enter response]

7. Describe any distance learning offered to clients by the region and the results.

[Enter response]

8. Describe any electronic resources the region has made available to clients and the results.

[Enter response]

9. Describe any promotion the SBDC has done of the Business Planning Center (formally known as the Business Information Center) in St. Paul or the Tribal Business Information Center in Cass Lake. Also describe any referrals that have been made.

[Enter response]

10. Report any coalition work done with internet-based resources for businesses, economic developers and communities. Internet-based resources could include the Northern Tier High Tech Corridor (NTHT) initiative sponsored by the Blandin Foundation or Biz Pathways service provided by Minnesota Rural Partners.

[Enter response]

11. Describe any work done to coordinate the understanding and use of the SBIR/STTR programs with the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

[Enter response]

400 International Trade

1. Describe any referrals the SBDC has made to, or other interaction with, the Minnesota Trade Office or the U.S. Export Assistance Center and the U.S. Department of Commerce and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any referrals to electronic resources related to international trade.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any efforts to engage International Trade students in serving SBDC clients.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any training on international trade topics engaged in by, or offered to, SBDC personnel.

[Enter response]

5. Describe any efforts to promote international trade events of interest to the small business community. Include explanation of coordination of conducting Export Trade Assistance Partnership (E-TAP) programs with the U.S. Export Assistance Center, if applicable.

[Enter response]

6. Describe any changes you observe in the need for export assistance, and any actions your center has taken in response.

[Enter response]

500 Minority Small Business Development

1. Describe outreach efforts to businesses owned by ethnic minorities and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Describe efforts to make SBDC services more accessible to minorities, (e.g., translation services) and the results.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any collaboration efforts with organizations that serve ethnic minority communities or other relationships with those organizations and the results.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any assistance provided to SBA 8(a) clients and the results. Indicate whether the client or SBA initiated the assistance.

[Enter response]

5. Report any work done to analyze changes in regional demographic patterns to aid in determining the business development needs of minority entrepreneurs.

[Enter response]

600 Resource Development

1. Describe what the region has done to work with existing funding partners to assure their needs and expectations of the SBDC are being met and that new needs and expectations are being addressed.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any new funding sources obtained by the SBDC and what the SBDC plans to do with the additional resources.

[Enter response]

3. Describe efforts to work with host partner institutions to expand the use of faculty and students in delivering SBDC services.

[Enter response]

4. Describe efforts made to demonstrate to the host partner the benefits of sponsoring as an SBDC service center.

[Enter response]

5. Describe how the region has expanded utilization of no- or low-cost resources such as collaborations with other organization, expanded use of volunteers or use of electronic tools, and the results.

[Enter response]

6. Describe the region’s relationship with SCORE and any activities engaged in with SCORE.

[Enter response]

7. Report work done to engage local advisory board members in developing new resources for the SBDC.

[Enter response]

8. Describe any recognition events conducted for resource partners.

[Enter response]

700 Procurement

1. Describe any collaboration with the Government Marketing Program the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Report efforts to promote and/or participate in procurement fair events offered by SBA.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any informational materials or web site information on government procurement opportunities the region has made available to clients or other interested individuals.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any work the region has done to better understand or utilize SBA’s 8(a), Surety Bond Guarantee or Certificate of Competency programs.

[Enter response]

5. Report any posting of bid notices from prime contractors or other efforts to assist clients who are interested in government contracting opportunities.

[Enter response]

800 Special Focus Groups

1. Describe any work the SBDC has done to assist persons with disabilities or to outreach to organizations that serve persons with disabilities and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Describe efforts to familiarize vocational rehabilitation counselors of SBDC serves and referrals of clients received from counselors.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any activity to promote or support youth entrepreneurship and the results. Such activity may include participation in youth entrepreneurship-orientated workshops, other collaborative training efforts, or presentations to young aspiring entrepreneurs.

[Enter response]

4. Describe efforts to assure the SBDC serves businesses in the SBDC-designated targeted industries at least in proportion to their representation in the region and the results.

[Enter response]

5. Describe any other activities to reach special focus groups identified by the region.

[Enter response]

900 Economic Development

1. Describe any special activities engaged in by the region to promote economic development and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any networking or other joint activities with economic development organizations or networks in the region and the results.

[Enter response]

1000 Research

1. Describe any research conducted by the region, either for its own purposes or on behalf of clients.

[Enter response]

1100 Other Activity

1. If the region received carry-over funding or supplemental funds, describe the region’s accomplishments with these funds. Refer to the contract for deliverables.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any other activity you wish to have included in the report to SBA. Include detail about the significant projects that the SBDC is involved that is not included in other sections of this report.

[Enter response]

1200 Success Stories

1. Provide one example of assistance provided in which tangible results occurred during the reporting period. Include the client ID number, description of the business, the problems encountered, the assistance provided, resources used, and actual or expected results including economic impact. Please do not use any personal client information (e.g. name of business, client name) in the profiled brief.

[Enter response]

1300 Travel

1. Describe any out-of-state travel charged to the SBDC program (federal funds or match) that was not approved as part of the Cooperative Agreement.

[Enter response]

1400 Problems

1. Describe any problems that have had a significant impact on your region’s ability to meet its program objectives or contractual deliverables.

[Enter response]

1500 Financial Reports

1. Do not respond. Applies to state office only.

1600 Women-Owned Businesses

1. Describe efforts to market SBDC services to organizations that serve women-owned businesses and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any networking or cross-referral arrangements the region has with organizations that serve women-owned businesses and the results.

[Enter response]

3. Describe efforts to increase SBDC personnel awareness of the SBA Pre-Qualification loan program and expand its usage in the region and the results.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any referrals that have been made to SBA’s on-line women’s business resource center and the results.

[Enter response]

5. Describe efforts to assure women business owners have the same access to SBDC services as male business owners and the results.

[Enter response]

1700 Economic Impact

1. Do not respond. Applies to state office only.

1800 Veterans, Service Connected-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, Reservists on Active Duty and Other Reserve Component Members of the U.S. Military

1. Describe any work the region has done with county veterans service officers to better understand and address the business development needs of veterans, reservists and Guard members called to active duty and the results.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any efforts to familiarize veterans’ advocacy organizations with services of the SBDCs and the results.

[Enter response]

3. Describe development assistance provided in co-sponsorship with veteran-orientated organizations that may include the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (E.S.G.R.), National Guard State Adjutants and DELTA Program.

[Enter response]

4. Describe the region’s efforts to promote SBA programs directed at veterans and employers of veterans or individuals called to active military duty and the results.

[Enter response]

1900 Manufacturing

1. Describe any work the region has done with manufactures to better understand and address the sector’s business development needs and the results of the work done.

[Enter response]

2. Describe any effort to provide business development assistance to manufacturing businesses in jeopardy or is challenged by foreign competition, the application of North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), or foreign labor alternatives.

[Enter response]

3. Describe work done by the SBDC in cooperation with local organizations or government units concerned with manufacturing issues. This may include the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program.

[Enter response]

2000 Online Activity

1. Describe any online counseling efforts. This may include either e-mail and/or the use of real-time electronic technology.

[Enter response]

2. Report any work done to utilize the Internet to inform the business community about upcoming events, training and business opportunities. This may include the use of electronic newsletters or the posting of events on the center’s website.

[Enter response]

3. Describe any online training done by the center. This may include either e-mail, the use of real-time electronic technology, audio and/or video streaming or the use of webinars for the delivery of business training.

[Enter response]

4. Describe any use of online surveys to analyze the development needs of the regional business community. List needs identified.

[Enter response]

5. Report any use of electronic for the registration of clients and training participants and meeting scheduling.

[Enter response]

6. Report any other activities and accomplishments of the SBDC, which demonstrate the use of web-based technology to enhance the center’s delivery of services to clients.

[Enter response]