Data Transfer Solutions Certified as Small Business Enterprise by South Florida Water Management District

ORLANDO - Data Transfer Solutions based in downtown Avalon Park, was recently certified as a Small Business Enterprise by the South Florida Water Management District.

Small businesses play a big role in Florida’s economy. The South Florida Water Management District administers a program that provides for increased opportunities for small businesses certified through the District to participate in projects and initiatives within the District’s region.

The program offers additional consideration to small business enterprises in the District solicitation and includes processes for bid equalization, sheltered markets, points for SBE participation in proposals and SBE subcontract participation goals.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the Small Business certification is important because it provides DTS an opportunity to bring innovative GIS and GIS development services to bear on behalf of the District and a myriad of teaming partners.

DTS provides asset management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), transportation planning/engineering, web design, database/software applications, and video and multi media production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.
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For more information, contact: A. M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, PMP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

Old Florida National Bank and Mercantile Capital Corporation Announce Merger Agreement

ORLANDO - Old Florida National Bank and Mercantile Capital Corporation have entered into a merger agreement. Old Florida National Bank (Old Florida), headquartered in downtown Orlando, expects the merger to be finalized in the late fourth quarter or early first quarter of 2011.

Randy Burden, chairman of Old Florida, and Geof Longstaff, chairman of Mercantile, jointly announced the merger.

Old Florida National Bank, formed in 1982, currently operates eight full-service retail banking facilities throughout Central Florida and Inverness, Fla. and boasts over $375 million in assets
Mercantile, the seven-year-old Altamonte Springs firm that specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for owners of small to mid-sized businesses who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, has provided commercial loans in 30 states and Puerto Rico for more than $513 million in total project costs since it opened as Mercantile Commercial Capital, LLC in late 2002.

“The merger substantially extends Old Florida’s capacity to engage in commercial lending,” Randy Burden said.

“Mercantile ranks as one of the largest and best known providers of SBA-504 lending in the nation,” Burden said. “They have succeeded in developing a well-known and well-respected brand with a solid reputation in the small business community,” Burden added.

Longstaff, who has served as president of three banks in the area over the past three decades, said the merger brings substantial resources to bear on Mercantile’s effort to serve small business owners nationwide.

John Burden, president of Old Florida, said “the merger creates a strong, cohesive banking organization squarely focused on serving consumers, professionals and the small business sector.”

“Old Florida National Bank is a hometown bank well known for personal service to our customers and a smart, reliable approach to banking,” Burden said.

“We are very pleased to offer Mercantile’s services to our customers and to further our service to Central Florida’s small business community,” he said.

Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said “the merger enables Mercantile to expand its services and to help more small business owners nationally.”

“Our merger substantially expands the capital resources we can bring to the small business sector of the U.S. economy,” said Hurn.

Mercantile Capital Corporation will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Florida National Bank. The combined entities are estimated to have nearly $400 million in total assets upon completion of their merger, making Old Florida one of the largest Orlando-based community banks.

For more information, Contact: John Burden, President Old Florida National Bank, 407-388-6136

Mercantile Capital Corp. CEO Chris Hurn working hard to convince support of Obama administration’s HR 5297 small business bill

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Mercantile Capital Corporation Chief Executive Officer Christopher G. Hurn in Altamonte Springs is more at home on the Fox News set or the pages of Forbes magazine than his current soap box. — Stumping to drum up Republican support for HR 5297, the Obama administration’s efforts to provide capital for small businesses neglected by the major banks.

“This is a no-brainer for me,” said Hurn. “HR 5297 will benefit American small businesses. That’s the core of the American economy. That’s the primary job-creating sector of the economy,” he said.

“We’ve spent billions bailing out financial services and major manufacturers, making short term transfer payments and extending unemployment benefits, with little to show in stimulating the U.S. economy,” Hurn said.

“In the end, American small business will shoulder all those bills. We’ve got to fix the economy, and HR 5297 is the first big step in the right direction that I’ve seen so far,” he said.

Mercantile Capital Corporation ranks among the most active providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities.
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For more information about this press release contact: Chris Hurn, CEO/Cofounder, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mercantile Capital Corp. Reports SBA 504 Commercial Loan Volume up in June, First Half of 2010 Loan Closings Soar

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Mercantile Capital Corp. reports the dollar volume of commercial loans it closed in June was up more than 284 percent over the same period last year.

At the same time, Christopher Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corp., said since January Mercantile Capital closed 29 commercial loans for projects valued at $81.6 million, a spectacular jump (416.46 percent) over the same six-month period in 2009 when $15.8 million was funded for 10 loans.

“This marks the best six-month period in our company’s history,” Hurn said.

Mercantile Capital Corp. – which ranks as one of the most active providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loans in the nation – closed seven loans in June for projects that totaled just over $20 million in four different states and the District of Columbia.

Visit www.504Experts.com and www.504Blog.com.

For more information about this press release, contact: Chris Hurn, CEO Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Robin Lashley, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Mercantile Capital Corporation Closes Eight Commercial Loans in May to Fund Projects Valued at $17.8 Million

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s top providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, reported it closed eight commercial loans in May that will fund projects valued at more than $17.8 million.

Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said four small business owners in Florida, three in California and one in Illinois received the loans.

Hurn said Mercantile Capital Corporation’s total loan volume since January marks the best five months in the company’s five-year history.

“Since January, we have closed 22 loans to fund projects valued at almost $65 million in eight states that will create an estimated 438 new jobs,” Hurn said.

“We are on track to maintain this pace through the end of this year, and we project to close loans on projects valued at more than $125 million before the end of the year, which would make this our best year ever.” Hurn said.

Visit http://www.504experts.com/ and http://www.504blog.com/.

For more information about this press release, contact: Chris Hurn, CEO Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Robin Lashley, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Mercantile Capital Corporation Provides Commercial Real Estate Loan in Orlando, worth $420,000

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS – Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, recently closed a commercial loan for Mitbry Corporation d/b/a Barnes Supply for $420,000 in total project costs.

Chris Hurn, chief executive officer at Mercantile Capital Corporation (MCC), said Barnes Supply, located on Drennen Road off S. Orange Avenue in Orlando, is a family owned supply company specializing in multiple fields of supply, including hospitality, building/resort management and car rental maintenance products. Barnes Supply has been a recognized distributor in Central Florida for the last 35 years, Hurn said.

“The Mercantile team was essential to the growth of Barnes Supply,” said owner, Alberto Ruiz. “Their hard work and attentive staff made it possible to find the financing needed to acquire a warehouse that facilitates the growth of our small business.”

The SmartChoice Commercial Loan Program helps owners of small to mid-sized businesses, like Barnes Supply, have an opportunity to create wealth and financial freedom. MCC’s specialization in SmartChoice Commercial Loans, also known as SBA 504 loans, allows borrowers, like Alberto Ruiz, to own their commercial property with the highest cash-on-cash return financing available, without tying up their precious capital, so they can grow even faster.

Visit http://www.thesmartchoiceloan.com/ and http://www.504blog.com/.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Robin Lashley, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mercantile Capital Corporation Reports Two Commercial Loans in February worth More Than $8.3 Million

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Mercantile Capital Corp., which ranks as one of the nation’s largest providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, reports it closed on two commercial property loans in February that totaled over $8.3 million on total project costs.

Christopher Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said January’s total project costs of over $11.5 million marked the firm’s largest single month in two years, with the totals of February not far behind.

Hurn said the largest loan in February paid for a nearly $7.6 million Hampton Inn & Suites in Port Arthur, Texas.
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For more information about this press release, contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; churn@mercantilecc.com; Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040; glongstaff@mercantilecc.com

New Stimulus Effort Should Focus on Small Business, Business Incubators, Economic Gardening, says Incubation Expert

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The next step in stimulating the national economy’s recovery from the worst recession since World War II should focus on small business, business incubators and economic gardening, said Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.

“Most of the net new jobs in the U.S. are created by a relatively small number of small businesses,” Dr. O’Neal said.

“A stimulus package that targets small companies and support programs such as qualified business incubators and economic gardening efforts, would likely generate a substantially higher return on investment than other efforts that target the nation’s economic recovery,” Dr. O’Neal said.

Dr. O’Neal said that while current stimulus programs have shored up the nation’s financial system, investment capital programs targeting small and expanding business that would generate growth and new jobs isn’t forthcoming.

“Something to stimulate investment in small business would be huge right now,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Incubation programs and economic gardening is a good investment, but the well is dry right now for expansion capital. Many sound, promising new businesses are poised for growth and expansion, but they don’t have access to capital to fund that growth,” Dr. O’Neal explained.

“They’re successful but they’re stuck. We need something to free up the capital markets and get the investment capital flowing again,” he said.

Dr. O’Neal, who recently received the Regional Outstanding Resource Partner Award from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, said successful incubation programs help entrepreneurs shape promising business concepts into thriving enterprises that create new jobs and new revenues.

“We know how to identify startup enterprises with the highest chances of success, and we know how to accelerate their growth as sustainable companies,” O’Neal said.

“There is a lack in investment capital, and that’s where stimulus efforts could help the most,” he concludes.

For more information about this release contact:

Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com.

About the UCF Incubation Program:

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Mercantile Capital Corp Reports Record Low Interest Rate on SBA 504 Loans

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Mercantile Capital Corporation, which specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for owners of small businesses who want to acquire their own facilities, reports a record low for the 20-year fixed interest rate on SBA 504 loan projects. This month, the rate fell to 5.14 percent, the lowest since the program’s inception more than 25 years ago.

“This record low interest rate for SBA 504 loans, combined with the fee reductions included in the Stimulus Bill, makes it even more attractive for business owners to purchase or expand their facilities. And this is the second time in three months that we’ve reported this,” said Chris Hurn, CEO and Co-founder of Mercantile Capital Corporation.

SBA 504 loans allow owners of small and mid-sized businesses to purchase, construct, or renovate their commercial property with as little as 10 percent down, long terms (up to 25 years) and fixed interest rates. Equipment and other fixed assets can also be included in these loans, to the benefit of the borrower.

“The SBA 504 loan has long been a powerful tool for business owners to grow and expand their operations. I hope the announcement of this historically low interest rate will cause more of America’s entrepreneurs to perk up and realize that there are once-in-a-generation opportunities for them to create wealth and help get our economy back on track,” said Hurn.

Mercantile Capital Corporation ranks as one of the most active providers of SBA 504 loans nationwide, providing owners of small and mid-sized businesses the option to own commercial property with up to 90 percent loan-to-cost financing.

Visit www.504Experts.com or www.504blog.com for more information.

For more information about this news release contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Shannon D. Marks, President/COO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mercantile Capital Corporation Sees Jump in Lending Volume in August, to Finance I-Drive Hotel, Suburban Atlanta Dental Office Among Others

Mercantile Capital Corporation Sees Jump in Lending Volume in August, to Finance I-Drive Hotel, Suburban Atlanta Dental Office Among Others

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading provider of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans saw a big jump in commercial loan volume in August.

Christopher G. Hurn, president of Mercantile Capital Corp., said the firm closed on loans worth more than $12 million in August, up more than 212 percent over the same period last year.

Hurn said August loans included $4.5 million to acquire and renovate Best Western’s Sun Vista Hotel on International drive in Orlando and $1.1 million to acquire and renovate a dental office in Atlanta.

“We anticipate we will close on loans that total more than $90 million in 2009,” Hurn said.
SBA 504 loans offer 90 percent loan-to-cost financing at below-market rates for qualified small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities.

For more information, contact:

Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mercantile Capital Corporation Appoints Four New SBA 504 Loan Specialists

Mercantile Capital Corporation Appoints Four New SBA 504 Loan Specialists

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, recently appointed four new SBA 504 loan specialists.

Christopher G. Hurn, CEO of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said he promoted Jon DeJulio from intern to marketing associate.

Yelena Sulyagina was promoted from intern to credit analyst.

Tammy Hennen was named operations administrator and Carolyn Skog was named credit analyst. Both Hennen and Skog have more than 20 years of experience.

For more information contact:

Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program plans to open Sanford Business Incubator

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program plans to open Sanford Business Incubator

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program plans to open the UCF/Sanford Business Incubator at 110 W. First St. in Sanford.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the UCF/Sanford Business Incubator will focus on small business enterprises that exhibit the most potential for growth and development.

“Business incubation helps entrepreneurs start and grow small business enterprises efficiently and effectively,” O’Neal said. “Development of small business enterprises is a decidedly more efficient strategy to improve the local economy, and the benefits are widespread and long-lasting,” he explained.

“Our job is to help businesses create jobs,” O’Neal said.

For more information about this release contact:
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, the City of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Entrust Administrative Services to Launch Sunday Morning Radio Program to Advise Small Investors on “Capital Ideas”

Entrust Administrative Services to Launch Sunday Morning Radio Program to Advise Small Investors on “Capital Ideas”

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Entrust Administrative Services, which administers more than 2,000 self-directed retirement accounts with a net worth of more than $200 million from offices in Lake Mary, Jacksonville and Boca Raton, is sponsoring the launch of “Capital Ideas,” a one-hour radio program on WORL-660 AM to advise small investors on new investment opportunities.

Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, said he plans to host special guests and investment experts to talk about alternative investment opportunities.

The program will kick off May 24 at 9 a.m.

“Most investors are familiar with stocks and bonds and we’ll touch on those topics, but we plan to focus on the sorts of alternative investment opportunities that can be overlooked by many investors,” Mather said.

Mather said Capital Ideas will capture the real power of American capital in today’s economy.
“With all the attention on bailouts and macro economics, we’ve overlooked the most important element in our financial system, the millions of small investors who have worked hard all their lives and now hold the power to save the U.S. economy,” Mather said.

“Capital Ideas will celebrate their new power in this economy and analyze ways they are rebuilding the American economic system from the grassroots right up to the power centers,” he said.

For more information please contact:
Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472 gmather@entrustfl.com;

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Local Entrepreneurs Attend Chamber Workshop to Learn How to Obtain Governmental Contracts

Local Entrepreneurs Attend Chamber Workshop to Learn How to Obtain Governmental Contracts

ORANGE CITY, Fla. – The Chamber of Commerce West Volusia recently was the site of a workshop for business owners interested in obtaining governmental contracts.

The session – titled “Doing Business with Federal and Local Governments” – was sponsored by The Center for Business Excellence, and presented by The Small Business Development Center of Daytona State College. It was held at the chamber’s Business Learning Center in Orange City.

Speakers were Rick Fraser, president of the Center for Business Excellence; Ned Harper, SBDC director at Daytona State College; and Linda White and John Wanamaker, chamber president/CEO, and treasurer/corporate secretary, respectively.

About 20 local business owners attended the workshop, including Mike Chinelli, an Orange City-based contractor.

“The class offered good direction on how to obtain contracts,” Chinelli said. “And, that should be important with the stimulus package creating a lot of government work."

Wanamaker, broker for Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group in Orange City, has attended similar classes in other counties, but said this session was a first for the West Volusia area.

“There are other cities and counties that sponsor classes like this for local businesses,” he said. “We’re hopeful that this will catch on here and we’ll see more local governmental agencies sponsoring educational classes for our business owners.”

About Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group:
Owned and operated by commercial real estate veterans John Wanamaker and Chuck Rudis, Coldwell Banker Commercial AIG is a leader in the listing, leasing and selling of properties, as well as a premier developer of community-friendly and LEED-accredited projects for small business owners.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Chuck Rudis, John Wanamaker or Stepan Babanin, Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group, 386-775-8633, chuck@cbcaigroup.com, john@cbciagroup.com or stepan@cbciagroup.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

UCF Business Incubation Program to Expand to Leesburg, St. Cloud

UCF Business Incubation Program to Expand to Leesburg, St. Cloud

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, which currently serves more than 70 full-time clients in five Central Florida facilities, plans to expand to include programs in Leesburg and St. Cloud.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for the University’s Department of Research & Commercialization and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said he expects to open operations in St. Cloud and Leesburg by next spring.

Currently, the UCF Business Incubation Program operates two facilities near the University of Central Florida campus in Research Park, and three more – on Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando, in east Orlando on East Colonial and in Winter Springs at S.R. 434 and the 417.

“Effective incubation programs have proved to be the most cost efficient ways to stimulate local economic growth,” O’Neal explained.

O’Neal, who founded the UCF Business Incubation Program and ranks as one of the leading U.S. experts on business incubators, said successful incubation programs offer several common characteristics including: stable, sustainable program funding; a strong market position; entrepreneurial management; affiliation with a major research institution; a blue-ribbon board of directors or advisors; the ability to attract quality client companies; a strong client screening process; measurable goals and objectives; strong value-added services; and access to investment capital and community partnerships.

For more information contact:

Tom O’Neal. Ph.D, UCF Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization and Incubation Program Executive Director, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the metro Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Global Network Solutions, Inc. Earns HIPAA Professional Certification

Global Network Solutions, Inc. Earns HIPAA Professional Certification

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. - Global Network Solutions, Inc., specializing in data security for small and medium-sized businesses and professional associations, recently earned a coveted professional designation that certifies the company’s ability to meet security compliance regulations of the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Bruce Mizell, chief information officer of Global Network Solutions, said the firm recently earned a CHP designation as Certified HIPPA Professionals after completing a rigorous curriculum offered by the HIPPA Academy, a training institute whose participating organizations include the FBI, the U.S. Army and Air Force, AT&T, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

HIPPA Academy is the only HIPPA training institute endorsed by the American Hospital Association.

“HIPPA Academy is the world’s first institute to introduce a certification and training program built on the HIPAA regulations,” said Mizell.

Global Network Solutions is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Seminole County Incubator site at 1511 E. S.R. 434 in Winter Springs.

For more information please contact:
Bruce Mizell, Chief Information Officer, Global Network Solutions, 636-352-4113
Esther Vargas-Davis, Site Manager, UCF Incubator-Seminole County 407-278-4881
Tom O’Neal, Ph.D., Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1102
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Small Bay Partners, LLC, Succeeding Despite Economy Downturn

Small Bay Partners, LLC, Succeeding Despite Economy Downturn

ORLANDO, Fla. - Small Bay Partners, LLC, the Orlando-based company that specializes in developing small bay industrial facilities for business users of 2,000 to 20,000 square feet of space, has continued to grow despite a sagging economy.

Howard Schieferdecker, one of the founders and principals of Small Bay Partners, LLC, said good planning is the reason.

“Our master strategy has always been to limit debt on our properties,” Schieferdecker said.

“When we saw the problems coming in late 2007 and early 2008, we did everything we could to reduce debt as much as possible, so most of the property that we have now is owned free and clear,” he said.

Small Bay currently owns a 16-acre Apopka parcel that is slated for future development, Monroe CommerCenter IV in Sanford, with 73,650 square feet of warehouse condominium space; and Poinciana CommerCenter, which is under development now with 120,000 square feet.

“The key to surviving downturns is to avoid excessive debt on development projects,” Geof Longstaff, another principal of Small Bay Partners, explained.

Small Bay Partners is also well capitalized.

“We have quite a bit of cash in the bank to hold us. If there is a problem that comes up, we have plenty of funds to take care of it until the market turns,” he said.

For more information contact
Howard Schieferdecker, Principal Small Bay Partners, LLC 407-702-3131, haschief@aol.com;
Geof Longstaff, Principal Small Bay Partners, LLC - 407-786-5040; glongstaff@mercantilecc.com;
George Livingston, Principal, Small Bay Partners LLC - 407-857-9989 glivingston@realvest.com;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

UCF and City of Orlando Business Development Center on Colonial Drive to Expand

UCF and City of Orlando Business Development Center on Colonial Drive to Expand

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Business Development Center District 2, (OBDC) a partnership of the City of Orlando and the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, located at 3218 E. Colonial Drive, will expand over the next 90 days.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for the University’s Department of Research & Commercialization and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the center will more than double the size of its facilities from 2,400 square feet of office space to 6,000 square feet.

O’Neal said UCF is currently interviewing applicants to choose a full-time site manager for OBDC, which opened last year directly across from Fashion Square mall.

“Even in this economic slump, we are seeing a steady interest in business incubation from new companies in the community and we are increasing our capacity to serve more entrepreneurial enterprises,” O’Neal explained.

O’Neal said the Orlando Business Development Center was empowered by a recent nationwide study that shows business incubators rank as the most cost effective stimulators of local economic development.

“Job growth and economic activity in the U.S. are largely dependent on the health of small business enterprises, and effective business incubator programs are one of the best ways to stimulate small business growth and development,” O’Neal said. O’Neal said UCF Business Incubation Program client companies are already positioning themselves to take advantage of new funding offered by the U.S. Economic Recovery Act and stimulus programs.

The UCF Business Incubation Program currently serves more than 70 full-time client companies in five locations, and provides a wide range of walk-in services.

For more information contact:
Tom O’Neal. Ph.D, UCF Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization and Incubation Program Executive Director, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the metro Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Small Investors must Focus on Fundamentals in light of Financial Scandals, Economic Downturn, says Entrust Administrator

Small Investors must Focus on Fundamentals in light of Financial Scandals, Economic Downturn, says Entrust Administrator

LAKE MARY, Fla. - In light of epic financial scandals and a history-making economic downturn, small investors must take every precaution to protect their assets and that means a return to fundamentals, according to one of the most active small investment fund administrators in the U.S.

Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administration Services, LLC, which has offices in Lake Mary, Chicago, Boca Raton and Jacksonville and administers more than 2,000 self-directed retirement accounts worth more than $200 million, said small investors are already responding to the “perfect storm” of financial scandals and economic turmoil that have clouded the U.S. economic picture.

“I think we’re already seeing smarter money in the market,” said Mather. “While big fund managers worry about a new Mercedes or a vacation home in the Caribbean, small investors have their entire livelihoods at stake. They are more cautious, less trusting and more anxious about learning the facts than they were before the scandals, and that’s a good thing,” Mather said.

Entrust Administrative Services won’t offer investment advice, Mather said.
“We deal in facts and documentary evidence. We help private individuals take control of their own investments. And what we are seeing is that most individual investors adhere to market fundamentals and study their opportunities closely. The ones who don’t, usually invest in safer opportunities such as money markets or certificates of deposit.”

“But almost all of them know you can’t just trust the investment funds blindly,” Mather said.

Mather recently spoke at the Crisis in the Financial Markets breakfast panel discussion sponsored by the Miami Finance Forum in Miami. More than 150 top CPAs, lawyers and corporate officials attended the event.

For more information, contact:,br>Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472 gmather@entrustfl.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com