The forum provided over 300 attendees with an understanding and awareness of solicitation availabilities in an open exchange of information between Fort Knox Installation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a team of government officials and construction leaders.

You can download a pdf of the presentations using the links below.

Agenda:  Monday, December 12, 2011

General Overview:
- US Army Corps of Engineers Commander – Louisville District, Colonel Luke Leonard

Upcoming Military Construction Programs
- US Army Corps of Engineers – Louisville District, Mr. Mike Ryan / Mr. Rick Lotz

“How to Work with a Multiple Award Task Order Contractor (MATOC)”
- B.L. Harbert International, Mr. Mark Bounds

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)
- Ms. Marilyn Lewis, PE, F.SAME

Panel Briefing & Discussion
- Public Works on an Army Installation - Director of Public Works – Fort Knox, Mr. Patrick Walsh
- Energy Smart Design - Energy Program Manager – Fort Knox, Mr. Robert Dyrdek
- “Working with Army Corps – Louisville District” - Louisville District Area Engineer – Fort Knox, Mr. Tom McQuary

Panel Briefing & Discussion – “Government Assistance and Opportunities”
- US Army Corps of Engineers – Louisville District, Small Business Office, Ms. Jacqueline Gee
- Mission & Installation Contracting Command – Fort Knox, Ms. Theresa Jones
- KY Small Business Development Center - Elizabethtown, Mrs. Patricia Krausman
- KY Cabinet for Economic Development – Procurement Assistance Program - Ms. Marisa Neal

While in Afghanistan, LaFontaine was referred to the Eastern Kentucky University Small Business Development Center.  Michael Rodriguez, Director of the Center and John Preston, Management Consultant were able to assist through e-mail the basics of starting an academic based pre-kindergarten school and made the necessary contacts with the Eastern Kentucky Child Care Coalition for regulations and licensure information.  Upon returning in February of 2011, LaFontaine began looking for a location and working out most of the details and tasks in order to get his business up and running.

LaFontaine Preparatory School is a structured program for four-year-old learners with a top-notch curriculum and a vision to give children a solid foundation to draw upon as they move into kindergarten and beyond.  The goal of the school is to deliver a diverse experience in the arts.  Classes start September 6, 2011.  To learn more about the school, visit the school’s website at www.lafontaineprep.org or call (859) 582-9405.

More than 3,500 leaders from Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VSOBs) and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOBs), government contractors, and Federal agencies are expected to attend the National Veteran Small Business Conference, August 15-18 in New Orleans. Hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, this is the largest nationwide conference of its kind.

At this year’s conference, we are expecting 4,000 leaders from various VOSBs, SDVOSBs, large contractors and Federal agencies as well as Veterans from the New Orleans area to participate. This year’s event is composed of three venues:

• Small Business Conference – Attendees will participate in training sessions on a variety of topics including finance, compliance, business development, marketing, strategy, contract management, human resources, technology, and program management.
• Exhibit Hall – Leaders from Federal agencies, VOSBs, SDVOSBs, and large businesses will have the opportunity to network with each other in a 500+ booth exhibit hall and through one-on-one matchmaking sessions.
• VA Open House – Veterans from both the conference and local community are invited to join us to learn and experience the wide range of resources available to the Veteran community.

Please refer back to this website for announcements and updates to the agenda.

Congressman Brett Guthrie will host a Government Contracting Information Fair

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
8:30am – 12:00pm CT
Carroll Knicely Conference Center
2355 Nashville Road
Bowling Green, KY

This FREE event is open to the public and will answer questions and hopefully help lead businesses in the right direction towards obtaining federal contracts.

“Learning the basics of this is key to a successful partnership. This event will answer questions and help businesses learn how to navigate the process of obtaining federal contracts.” Congressman Brett Guthrie

For more information, please contact Congressman Guthrie’s office:
1001 Center Street, Suite 300
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270)-842-9896
Web

Presentations from:

- Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
- Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
- Small Business Administration
- Kentucky Small Business Development Center
- US Army Corp of Engineers
- Government Services Administration
- Fort Campbell Office of Small Business Programs

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the SBA’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative for veterans and members of the military community wanting to establish or expand small businesses. The SBA and its resource partners are focusing additional efforts on counseling and training to augment this loan initiative, making it more accessible and easy to use.

Eligible military community members include:

• Veterans
• Service-disabled veterans
• Active-duty service members eligible for the military’s Transition Assistance Program
• Reservists and National Guard members
• Current spouses of any of the above
• The widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service or of a service-connected disability

Patriot Express loan proceeds can be used for most business purposes, including:

• Start up costs
• Equipment purchases
• Business-occupied real-estate purchases
• Inventory
• Infusing working capital
• Managing your business
• Expansion
• Preparing your business for the possibility of your deployment
• Setting up to sell goods and services to the government
• Recovery from declared disasters.

Patriot Express loans feature the SBA’s lowest interest rates for business loans, generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan.  Your local SBA district office will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in your area.

Together the Kennedy’s and the SBDC developed a business plan, met with local bankers and representatives of the franchise, and prepared a SBA loan package. The couple was later awarded a SBA 7A loan for $488,500 and injected $80,000 of their own money into the project.

On September 13, 2010 the Kennedy’s proudly opened Buffalo Wings and Rings and set franchise records for total sales for opening day and opening week of the franchise.

In addition to bringing good wings to the area, the Kennedy’s business venture has added approximately 45 new jobs to the local economy. There are plans to add an additional five in the coming months.

Simon drew upon his past experiences as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1999 to 2004 in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, to determine what type of business to start. After careful consideration, Simon and his family decided to start a DTG printing and graphic design business, building upon repeat customers for growth.

Realizing the need for financing and a business plan, Simon sought the services of Michael Rodriguez with the Eastern Kentucky University SBDC. Together, Simon and Rodriguez developed a business plan and financial projections. Rodriguez guided Simon in leasing property for his business, and using the Simons personal savings to purchase equipment.

It was important to the Simon family that their business produce an eco-friendly product that reinforced their commitment to the environment and community.

The DTG printing process provided just this. DTG printing produces images with amazing sharpness and brilliance that are highly colorfast and soft to the touch. The water-based ink is non-toxic, lead free, does not contain any heavy metals, and is safe for children’s clothing. DTG printing technology also allows printing in more 16 million colors.

Semper Simon opened for business in October 2010. Today, Semper Simon can print on just about anything that is flat. Their products range from t-shirts, mouse pads, tote bags, pillowcases, sports jerseys, socks and more.

In addition, Semper Simon offers graphic design services to assist with individualized logos. Once the design has been created, a copy is kept on file for future printing needs and the customer keeps the logo.

What are the Four “Cores?”

Core 1: Success Planning

Success Planning explains tools for self-assessment, financial goal setting, setting boundaries, communication skills, selling skills, and contingency planning. Success Planning will help you prepare your “business owner” resume and personal financial plan and help you become aware of your wants, needs, and goals for your business.

Core 2: Market Planning

Market Planning explains tools and strategies for transforming your dream into a real, market-driven business. The importance of matching your business with the needs and wants of customers is highlighted as you discover how to identify the features and benefits of your product or service and learn about imaging, packaging, pricing, selling, promotional planning, and contingency planning. You will learn how to target your customers, analyze your industry and competition, and identify your position in the market.

Core 3: Cash Flow Planning

Cash Flow Planning explains detailed strategies for planning the financial future of your business with emphasis on projecting sales, setting sales goals, and contingency planning. Cash Flow Planning helps to clarify the personal financial needs of the owner as separate from the financial needs of the business.

Core 4: Operations Planning

Operations planning explains key issues and strategies for operating a legitimate business that complies with legal standards and requirements. This section will help the business owner identify what work must be done, how it will be accomplished, and by whom.