SEED Corp. Awarded New Round of Loan Funds
SEED Corp., Indiana's only SBA Microloan Intermediary Program, was awarded a new round of loan funds by the Small Business Administration. These funds will allow SEED Corp. to make new loans to start-up and existing businesses in Monroe and nine surrounding counties who are not able to secure traditional financing. Loans range from $500 to $35,000. Contact SEED Corp. at 812-323-7827 for more information on how your company may be eligible.

Bloomington Businesses Win Indiana Small Business Awards
Three Bloomington businesses are winners of the annual Indiana SBA Small Business Person and Advocate Awards. These Bloomington businesses won three out of the 11 state SBA awards this year! The award winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Indianapolis on June 7th.

• Bloomington Hardware, Vickie Temple -
  Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
• Baker Twin Enterprises, Chad and Andy Baker -
  SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Sheer Elegance, Gwendolyn Jones -
  Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year

Congratualtions to these local winners!

New Business Announcement: Cook Pharmica, LLC
Cook Group Incorporated, in close cooperation with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, local and state government agencies, and major research universities in the state, has announced it will develop a new state-of-the-art biotech drug manufacturing facility in the former Thomson Consumer Electronics factory on Bloomington's southwest side.

The new company, Cook Pharmica, LLC, will add approximately 200 jobs to the Bloomington economy during its initial start-up phase, says Cook Pharmica president Jerry Arthur. In coming years, the company could grow to a $200 million biotech manufacturing facility with up to 600 employees occupying as much as 430,000 square feet of space within the former television manufacturing plant. See www.cookpharmica.com for more information.

Topic: QuickBooks and Peachtree Accounting Software
You can easily merge the data from two different QuickBooks Pro or Peachtree reports by exporting the data into an Excel spreadsheet. In either software package, after creating a report, click the "Excel" button at the top of the screen to export the report to a new or existing Excel spreadsheet.

Topic: Leveraging Industry Information
Wondering where your business is headed? A good way to identify current and future trends is to learn more about the direction of your overall industry. Check trade journals and contact your trade organizations to review statistics and trends as they relate to your industry and your geographic region.

Mystery Shopper Program
Want to know what happens at your business while you are away? Ever wonder what your customers think about your business or organization?

Gain knowledgable, unbiased insight into how your company is perceived by your customers. The SBDC's Mystery Shopper program sends a customer into your business who reports back on customer service, price, store cleanliness, etc. The results are delivered in a written report that identifies areas that need improvement.

Services are completely customized to suit your needs! for information or call him directly at 812-339-8937.

• Funding: Small Business Innovation Research Grants

• Franchises: How to Research and Buy a Franchise

• Marketing: Choosing a Graphic Designer

May 12: Annual Golf Scramble and Silent Auction
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Scramble
Where: Bloomington Country Club
Time: 10:00 - 7:00 pm
Contact: Sara McGoun, Chamber of Commerce, 812-336-6381

May 13: 2004 Economic Forum
What: Monroe Bank's Private Banking Group presents their Third Annual Economic Forum
Where: Ruth N. Halls Theatre, IU Theatre & Drama Center
Time: 4:00 pm; reception to follow
Contact: Monroe Bank, 812-353-7719

May 19: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss.
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

May 20: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Other: Open to the public

May 25: Chamber Chats
What: Learn what the future holds for Bloomington small businesses. "SBDC: Past, Present and Future," presented by Brian Kleber, Regional Director.
Where: Village Deli
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 am
Other: Open to the public

June 4: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of videoconference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: Ivy Tech State College, Room 209
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

October 12: 8th Annual Buy Indiana Expo
What: Expand your business through government contracts
Where: Linton-Stockton High School Gymnasium
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Contact: Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce 812-847-4846