The program was started in November of 2003 by Karen E. Richards, Prosecuting Attorney for Allen County to combat the negative impact of bad checks passed to local businesses. Millions of dollars are lost every year by merchants as a result of this ongoing problem.
The Bad Check Restitution Program has been organized to assist local merchants with bad check losses. The primary goal of the program is to obtain full restitution for the victim without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system.
Program Statistics:
As of June 30, 2009 $740,000 in bad checks had been restituted.
Checks reported as of June 30: 19,743 (likely to be 20k by end of July or early August)
Offenders completing the class as of 6/30: nearly 3,200 people
Other recent program updates:
Ability to check status of submitted checks online through an ID and password that is assigned by the program and via an automated phone system (as long as they have their merchant number) or via a merchant care rep on the toll-free hotline.
The program still has an easy to use, one page complaint form and is offered at no cost to the victim.
For more information visit: www.checkprogram.com/allencountyin
Showing posts with label Small Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Business. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
New Stimulus Funds Available to Small Businesses
Small businesses in Indiana may now be eligible to receive new interest-free loans through a program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) program offers loans of $35,000 to firms that demonstrate immediate financial hardship. The funds must be used to pay down existing debt. The loans will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, or until appropriated funding runs out.
To qualify for the ARC loans, small firms must demonstrate they are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the economic downturn, but are otherwise deemed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be viable. The loans will be made by commercial lenders and can be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debts like credit card obligations, mortgages, lines of credit, and balances due to suppliers, vendors, and utilities.
To apply for ARC loans, businesses should visit their local SBA-approved small business lenders. The loans will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, or until appropriated funding runs out. Additional information about the ARC loan program is available at http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html.
In addition to the ARC loan program, the ARRA contained other measures aimed at helping small firms access credit. For instance, the new law increases the percentage of a loan that the SBA can guarantee, makes SBA-backed loans more affordable and provides tools to unfreeze the small business credit markets, helping small companies access capital at affordable rates.
To qualify for the ARC loans, small firms must demonstrate they are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the economic downturn, but are otherwise deemed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be viable. The loans will be made by commercial lenders and can be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debts like credit card obligations, mortgages, lines of credit, and balances due to suppliers, vendors, and utilities.
To apply for ARC loans, businesses should visit their local SBA-approved small business lenders. The loans will be available through Sept. 30, 2010, or until appropriated funding runs out. Additional information about the ARC loan program is available at http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html.
In addition to the ARC loan program, the ARRA contained other measures aimed at helping small firms access credit. For instance, the new law increases the percentage of a loan that the SBA can guarantee, makes SBA-backed loans more affordable and provides tools to unfreeze the small business credit markets, helping small companies access capital at affordable rates.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
SBA Says Interest Rates at Record Low for Small Business Borrowers
The Small Business Administration's (SBA) 504 loan program is currently providing long-term, fixed rate financing for commercial real estate at the lowest interest rate since the program's inception. The SBA's lending partner, The Business Development Corporation (BDC) is busy working with small business borrowers who are taking advantage of this record low interest rate to finally purchase or build their own facilities. This low rate, coupled with the new fee reductions provided by the Congressional stimulus bill, led to an effective interest rate - including servicing fees - of only 5.25% for the month of April.
The SBA's 504 loan program provides long-term, fixed rate financing for commercial real estate. Since its inception the 504 program has funded nearly $40 billion in loans to growing small businesses. Small business borrowers are taking advantage of these record low interest rates to purchase, build or expand their facilities.
More and more commercial properties are coming onto the market at attractive prices, adding to the advantage of low interest rates and fees. If a small business has been considering investing in a building, now is a great time to act.
For more information call (574)288-5758 or visit www.bdcloan.com.
The SBA's 504 loan program provides long-term, fixed rate financing for commercial real estate. Since its inception the 504 program has funded nearly $40 billion in loans to growing small businesses. Small business borrowers are taking advantage of these record low interest rates to purchase, build or expand their facilities.
More and more commercial properties are coming onto the market at attractive prices, adding to the advantage of low interest rates and fees. If a small business has been considering investing in a building, now is a great time to act.
For more information call (574)288-5758 or visit www.bdcloan.com.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Doing Business with the Federal Government
The Small Business Administration presents on on-line seminar: "Learn how to do business with the federal government."
Discover:
How to register your business to sell to the government
How to obtain federal contracting certifications
Where to find contracting opportunities
This free federal government contracting seminar takes place: March 17, 2009 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. EDT
How to participate in this on-line seminar:
Participate from the comfort of your home or office, as a virtual attendee you use your phone to hear the presenter and view the presentation on your computer.
On the phone: Dial toll-free to 1-866-740-1260. When prompted, enter the Participant Login Access Code 3056201 for the conference call.
On the computer: Log onto website http://www.readytalk.com Type the same Participant Login Access Code 3056201 in the box on the left of the screen, fill in a simple participant registration form to join the live session and view the presentation.
Registration/questions before or after the seminar, contact Marty Anderson, SBA, at (317) 226-7272 x111.
This seminar can also be viewed at the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau, 3521 Lake Avenue. If coming to the Women’s Bureau, please RSVP at (260) 424-7977 or jpepple@womensenterprise.org.
Discover:
How to register your business to sell to the government
How to obtain federal contracting certifications
Where to find contracting opportunities
This free federal government contracting seminar takes place: March 17, 2009 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. EDT
How to participate in this on-line seminar:
Participate from the comfort of your home or office, as a virtual attendee you use your phone to hear the presenter and view the presentation on your computer.
On the phone: Dial toll-free to 1-866-740-1260. When prompted, enter the Participant Login Access Code 3056201 for the conference call.
On the computer: Log onto website http://www.readytalk.com Type the same Participant Login Access Code 3056201 in the box on the left of the screen, fill in a simple participant registration form to join the live session and view the presentation.
Registration/questions before or after the seminar, contact Marty Anderson, SBA, at (317) 226-7272 x111.
This seminar can also be viewed at the Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau, 3521 Lake Avenue. If coming to the Women’s Bureau, please RSVP at (260) 424-7977 or jpepple@womensenterprise.org.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, October 27, 2008
Community Wellness Survey: Share Your Thoughts
Business owners are invited to share their thoughts on wellness in the workplace with a brief survey. Survey results will impact an upcoming community wellness workshop on March 12, 2009. The event will be held at IPFW's Walb Student Union with break-out sessions on the topics most in demand. The goal is to help small businesses gain resources to begin their own wellness initiatives for employees. Have a say and take the survey today! As an added incentive, those that complete the survey will be eligible for a $5 discount on their registration fees for the workshop.
Click here to start the Wellness Workshop Survey!
Click here to start the Wellness Workshop Survey!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Evan Bayh Job & Career Fair
The Evan Bayh Job & Career Fair takes place on Thursday, October 16 at IPFW's Walb Student Union from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Senator Bayh will be co-hosting the event along with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, IPFW, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau, WorkOne Northeast, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, the City of Fort Wayne and the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center.
The Small Business Summits are designed to provide interested Hoosiers with advice and expertise on some of the unique situations facing small business owners. Too often, entrepreneurs have trouble translating ideas into products or business plans. The Summit will provide a perfect setting to work with a wide variety of institutions that are helping to promote the success of Indiana’s small businesses. Through the events small business resource fair, participating organizations will serve as important sources of knowledge for anyone looking to start or expand a small business. Through this year's workshops, business owners will be afforded the opportunity to gain insights into IRS matters and federal contract issues that may affect their business. This year’s Small Business Summit will feature the following speakers and workshops:
Charles R. Barrington
Senior Stakeholder Liaison
Internal Revenue Service - Small Business/Self-Employed
Topics:
Session 1: Record-Keeping for Business
Session 2: Worker Classification
- Mr. Barrington will also provide information regarding resources for small business tax questions
Mary K. Kaczka
Program Manager
Partners in Contracting Corp.
- A Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Topics:
Session 1: Getting your share of Government Contracts
Session 2: Getting your share of Government Contracts
The Small Business Summit workshops will begin at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
To reserve your space, please contact Kelli Pursley of WorkOne Northeast at KPursley@WorkOneNE.org or (260) 745-3555, ext. 228.
Senator Bayh will be co-hosting the event along with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, IPFW, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau, WorkOne Northeast, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, the City of Fort Wayne and the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center.
The Small Business Summits are designed to provide interested Hoosiers with advice and expertise on some of the unique situations facing small business owners. Too often, entrepreneurs have trouble translating ideas into products or business plans. The Summit will provide a perfect setting to work with a wide variety of institutions that are helping to promote the success of Indiana’s small businesses. Through the events small business resource fair, participating organizations will serve as important sources of knowledge for anyone looking to start or expand a small business. Through this year's workshops, business owners will be afforded the opportunity to gain insights into IRS matters and federal contract issues that may affect their business. This year’s Small Business Summit will feature the following speakers and workshops:
Charles R. Barrington
Senior Stakeholder Liaison
Internal Revenue Service - Small Business/Self-Employed
Topics:
Session 1: Record-Keeping for Business
Session 2: Worker Classification
- Mr. Barrington will also provide information regarding resources for small business tax questions
Mary K. Kaczka
Program Manager
Partners in Contracting Corp.
- A Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Topics:
Session 1: Getting your share of Government Contracts
Session 2: Getting your share of Government Contracts
The Small Business Summit workshops will begin at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
To reserve your space, please contact Kelli Pursley of WorkOne Northeast at KPursley@WorkOneNE.org or (260) 745-3555, ext. 228.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Small Business Marketing Course Sponsored by SBDC and IPFW
The Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and IPFW are sponsoring a 5-week course called “MarketingBasics and Practical Promoting for Small Businesses.”
This interactive series counts for one Continuing Education Unit and aims to help small business owners effectively market their organization, increase their networking skills, and identify ways to better promote their business.
A "Marketing and Networking Showcase" will provide the finale for the course on Tuesday, October 28 from 6-8 p.m. in the IPFW Walb Ballroom. The event will include networking opportunities as well as booths showcasing various companies in the marketing field. The showcase is free for those registered in the course, and costs $5 for others.
The course dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $100 including materials. To register call IPFW at (260) 481-6619 or click here to register online.
Companies specializing in marketing and promotion and marketing-related services are invited to reserve a display table at the Showcase for $25. Space is limited. For further information contact the SBDC at (260) 481-0500.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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