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Regional Paper Talk: Moyes to spend big

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Regional Paper Talk: Moyes to spend big
Paul Lambert plans to be in charge at Aston Villa next season – but says investment is needed to climb away from the bottom of the Premier League. Reports of a possible £200m takeover at Aston Villa are gathering pace. Express & Star. Albion boss Pepe …
Read more on Teamtalk.com

Who fixes Harrisburg's sinkholes?: Q&A with TLA recap
Its a long and costly process but one that is necessary to properly develop a replacement plan that our community can afford. Zach Davis: I live …. Its important that CRW follow a responsible financial strategy that ensures we remain sustainable …
Read more on The Patriot-News (blog)

Spedowfski Announces run for Livermore City Council
With more than 19 years of public service experience in fields such as urban planning, traffic control, and financial oversight of special districts, Steven has developed skills and abilities that will enable him to "hit the ground running" when …
Read more on Pleasanton Weekly (blog)

CPhI Russia 2014 Helps Regional Market Grow at Over 10% Annually

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CPhI Russia 2014 Helps Regional Market Grow at Over 10% Annually
CPhI Russia plays a very important role within the region to accelerate this growth and further drive innovation within the market- a key goal within the country's plan", Erik Heemskerk, Brand Director Pharma. About CPhI. CPhI drives growth and …
Read more on SYS-CON Media (press release)

Search Engine Marketing Company Lets Clients Focus on Their Craft
In those cases, Cyberset would recommend meeting with a representative for a professional internet marketing consultation. These can be scheduled regularly (perhaps quarterly) or just at the onset of a marketing plan. During these sessions, Cyberset …
Read more on SYS-CON Media (press release)

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on 5 reasons why BJP's manifesto stands apart
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon has written a blog on five reasons why BJP's manifesto stands apart from that of other political parties. Below is an exact reproduction of what she has written: The BJP seems to have …
Read more on Economic Times

EB5 Visa Direct Investments: The Hot New Trend In Alternative Financing For Small Businesses And Regional Economic Growth

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 17, 2014

A rapidly growing number of start-up and expanding business owners are skipping traditional bank loans and venture capitalists for a faster and cheaper financing alternative, called the EB5 Visa Direct Investment program. “This direct or stand-alone program is literally on fire,” said Bernard Wolfsdorf of Wolfsdorf Immigration Law.

It connects wealthy overseas investors who want a green card with regional business owners who need money to grow and expand. Southern California CEO Magazine talked with leading Securities and immigration attorneys and investment consultants about this hot new trend at a recent EB5 Summit in Los Angeles.

The EB5 Visa Investment program was created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate U.S. economic growth by job creation through capital investment by foreign investors. An investment made by an immigrant must create at least 10 new American jobs over a period of at least two years. If successful, the investor receives their permanent green card. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sets aside up to 10,000 visas for immigrants willing to invest at least $ 500,000 or more to create these new jobs in American businesses.

Almost all EB5 investment has been in massive Regional Center Projects which involve hundreds of foreign investors and scores of millions of dollars. The projects have been complicated, and it has been difficult to determine how many American jobs each foreign investor has created. Many of the investors have also profited little or lost money. But, that has changed over the last year.

“More investors are finally realizing that there is opportunity with direct investment, “said Brian Su of the Artisan Business Group. Su primarily helps U.S. companies connect with cash-flush investors in China who want more control on the projects they back, but, they don’t necessarily seek as much equity in the business as a venture capitalist would likely demand.

As long as the project is very strong and the business is good, Su’s investors are willing to risk their money. “They’re not looking for tremendous returns,” Su said. “They’re just looking for legal residency through the EB5 program.”

The pool of investors has also quickly expanded from China, to include entrepreneurs from Brazil, Chile, India, Korea, South Africa and Vietnam. Up to 20% of all EB5 investment now directly benefits the little guy.

“The smaller business that’s looking to add 10 or 20 or 30 people onto their payroll, they can tap into this financing source, and the cost of doing so is less than half of the cost of big projects. So, it’s something the smaller business can afford in order to enlarge their business or start their business from a dead stop,” said Michael Michael Homeier of Homeier and Law. “It’s very exciting.”

The EB5 Visa Direct Investment program can also help small business get cash fast and with less hassle than standard bank loans or venture capital deals.

“This is the big winner,” said immigration attorney Bernard Wolfsdorf. “We’re talking two to three months. That’s how quickly the money can flow in to the job creating enterprise. You don’t have all this massive apparatus, and complicated framework. You basically put together a business plan. You outline the structure. You show where it’s going to go. You raise the money and the money starts coming in within months.”

The EB5 Visa Direct Investment program has also become powerful economic stimulus tool for Southern California cities and counties.

“Jobs create jobs,” said Kevin Wright of Wright Johnson, LLC. The EB5 program consultant said investors bring capital into a county or city. That creates more jobs, which creates more tax revenue, which creates more direct and indirect jobs, and in turn, more tax revenue. “So, it really helps to perpetuate an entire community through these investments,” Wright said.

The EB5 Visa Direct Investment program is a real opportunity for a lot of U.S. businesses and local governments to get back on their feet, said immigration attorney Michael Homeier. Businesses are struggling to get capital, and there is a huge wave of wealthy people overseas willing to put their money at risk on a U.S. business to create jobs and to get a green card. “That’s a perfect storm,” he said.







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Elevate Ventures Partners with Southwest Indiana Region Community Stakeholders to Launch Regional Entrepreneurship Action Plan

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Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) July 12, 2013

Elevate Ventures, a private venture development organization that assists and invests in high-growth, high-potential early and second-stage companies, announced a partnership with key community stakeholders to launch the Elevate Ventures Regional Entrepreneurship Action Plan (REAP) in Southwest Indiana. The first phase, also known as Quick Start, will provide local entrepreneurial resources and access to the firm’s funds under management. Elevate Ventures manages over $ 80 million in funds through its 21st Century Research & Technology Fund, its Indiana Angel Network Fund, its Community Development Fund and its recently launched Diversity Fund.

The introduction of this program will make several vital resources available to the region’s entrepreneurial community, including investment capital for high-potential, high-growth companies, the local placement of Elevate Ventures Entrepreneurs-In-Residence, participation in a statewide investor network, and the offering of Economic Gardening services to local second-stage companies.

First launched in October 2011 in Northern Indiana, the REAP is a four-year program designed to stimulate economic activity and to facilitate the emergence and development of high-potential companies into high-performing businesses. Through the REAP, Elevate Ventures staff, in partnership with local business leaders, economic development organizations, and other local stakeholders, will provide assistance and capital to identified early-stage and second-stage companies that have the intent and capacity to grow their business.

“Through REAP, Elevate Ventures will provide a fast track for entrepreneurs in this region by offering key services such as business analysis, advisory services and resources to succeed long-term and help companies move past many of the initial challenges they might face,” stated Carl Chapman, Vectren Corporation’s President and CEO. “Our region has been steadily building a network of stakeholders and partners to provide the foundation for growth environments just as it has with many other regional initiatives; and, we are ready to launch REAP to provide momentum in helping the businesses located here to arrive at success sooner,” stated Becky Skillman, President of Radius Indiana.    Vectren Corporation and Radius Indiana are REAP funding stakeholders.

Bob Myer, an Evansville area resident, angel investor, and a director at Elevate Ventures, will be an acting Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the region. Elevate Ventures plans on hiring two additional Entrepreneurs-In-Residence.

The program offered by Elevate Ventures has had great success in the northern regions of Indiana, where it was first implemented. Results include an increase in the number of funding applications from the region, a greater number of companies obtaining funding from Elevate Ventures and private investors, and significant increases in employment and revenue growth for participants in the Economic Gardening program.

Among many stakeholders who are eager to see these services come to the region, few are more enthused than Greg Wathen, President & CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana.

“We are in a position to catalyze the resources already existing in the region,” said Wathen, when asked about the potential impact of the REAP. “Elevate Ventures and the services its team offers will help us do that. We’ve already had several years of traction, and this is one of those critical steps that could truly ignite unprecedented growth in our community. We’re very excited to see how this program will benefit Southwest Indiana businesses.”

For more information on the programs and services offered by Elevate Ventures, visit http://www.elevateventures.com. To apply for funding or services, visit http://www.elevateventures.com/apply.

About Elevate Ventures

Elevate Ventures is a private venture development organization that nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into high-performing, Indiana-based companies. Elevate Ventures accomplishes this by providing access to capital, rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the right mix of resources businesses need to succeed long-term. As a not-for-profit organization, Elevate Ventures is able to offer unbiased, in-depth perspective and recommendations. To learn more about Elevate Ventures, its team and its funds under management, visit http://www.elevateventures.com.

About the Southwest Region REAP Stakeholders

Southwest Region stakeholders who provided funding to support the REAP include Bingham Greenbaum Doll LLP, City of Evansville, Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, Fifth Third Bank, Freedom Bank, German American Bancorp, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Koch Enterprises, Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Center, Menke Charitable Foundation, Old National Bank, Radius Indiana, Regional Impact Fund, Ron Romain, Seufert Construction and Supply and Vectren Corporation.

Counties included in the Southwest Region REAP are Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick.







Fort Myers Regional Partnership Reports Incentive Program Benchmarks And Success – 4,996 Jobs Created and $1,047,649,879 in Economic Impact in Lee County

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Fort Myers, FL (PRWEB) May 02, 2011

The Fort Myers Regional Partnership, Lee Countys Economic Development Office, is driven by its long-term, forward-thinking mission to expand and diversify the local economy. Since 1996, 4,996 new jobs and $ 1,047,649,879 in economic impact have been committed to as a direct result of key local incentive programs; Lee County Job Opportunity Program and the First Incentives for Recruiting Strategic Targets as well as State of Florida incentives and the State Closing Fund.

These programs lay the foundation for companies to prosper in Lee County now and in the years to come. Our Economic Development office has played a part, but most important our partners the Horizon Council, the Horizon Foundation, and the Industrial Development Authority have made Lee County stand out as a great place to do business, said Jim Moore, Executive Director of the Fort Myers Regional Partnership.

1996 – 2011 Lee County Incentives Awarded*

The following companies represent target industries such as life sciences, manufacturing, information technology, corporate headquarters, and business services that have relocated to or expanded in Lee County:

Fort Myers Regional Partnership Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council

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Fort Myers, Florida (PRWEB) November 11, 2011

The Fort Myers Regional Partnership received an Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council for the Together for Business Integrated Marketing Campaign in the category of Paid Ad Campaign for communities with populations of more than 500,000.

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony in September during the IEDC Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We recognize the Fort Myers Regional Partnership for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery, said Dennis Coleman, IEDC chair. Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. They are showing that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities.”

The Excellence in Economic Awards Program annually recognizes the worlds best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the years most influential leaders. The program honors organizations and individuals in 28 categories for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

The mission of the integrated marketing campaign launched by the Fort Myers Regional Partnership was to leverage existing relationships within the community and the region to identify potential business candidates for expansion or location to Lee County. To accomplish this, the Fort Myers Regional Partnership implemented an aggressive and integrated fusion of both traditional and new-age marketing approaches for economic development.

Together for business has become our rallying cry throughout all elements of the campaign and was strategically implemented in advertising, marketing and promotional messages to engage all business leaders, residents, and industry partners, stated Jennifer Berg, marketing and communications director of the Fort Myers Regional Partnership.

Through the support and benefits of the public-private partnership with The Horizon Council to provide strategic direction, active involvement, and financial support of these integrated marketing efforts, the Partnership has effectively saturated the market with this message, thus increasing its effectiveness.

We are well underway to take our integrated marketing and communications plan to the next level in 2012 with creative and dynamic strategies from website presence, advertising, social media, and public relations to partnerships and online exposure reaching targeted audiences in and out of the market to make Lee County more vibrant and a better place for all of us, continued Berg.

The Fort Myers Regional Partnership, Lee Countys Economic Development Office, is driven by its long-term, forward-thinking mission to expand and diversify the local economy.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the premier membership organization dedicated to helping economic development professionals create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. Serving more than 4,500 members, IEDC represents the largest network of economic development professionals in the world. IEDC provides a diverse range of services, including conferences, certification, professional development, publications, research, advisory services and legislative tracking.

About Fort Myers Regional Partnership

The Fort Myers Regional Partnership works to attract new and diversified businesses resulting in high-wage, high-skilled jobs; retains and encourages the expansion of existing businesses and improves the overall business environment. Lee County is a thriving business community with a highly regarded airport, significant corporate development and ample real estate opportunities. The area is attracting, retaining and growing high-value businesses with a unique blend of an outstanding business climate and superior quality of life. The county is home to five vibrant cities–Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel–and is the heart of Southwest Florida.

The Partnership continues to promote and build the region through ongoing efforts from its proactive team of domestic and international recruiters, research staff and community liaisons, as well as through its partnerships with the Horizon Foundation, the Horizon Council and the Lee County Industrial Development Authority.

Since 1996, 5,546 new jobs and $ 1,065,570,586 in economic impact have been committed to as a direct result of key local incentive programs; Lee County Job Opportunity Program and the First Incentives for Recruiting Strategic Targets as well as State of Florida incentives and the State Closing Fund.

In addition to the core website, http://www.FortMyersRegionalPartnership.com, Fort Myers Regional Partnership can also be found on these popular social networking sites:

Editors Notes:

Unique story angles, resources and trend data are available in the online Media Center at http://www.FortMyersRegionalPartnership.com/AboutUs/MediaCenter

For executive interviews, success stories and additional media relations services, please contact Jennifer Berg, Fort Myers Regional Partnership, via phone at 239.338.3161 or email at JBerg(at)leegov(dot)com.

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