Business briefs

Seminar to cover stimulus loans

AVON PARK - The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida and the Corporate and Continuing Education department at South Florida Community College will be offering a seminar on "Understanding SBA Stimulus Loans."

The seminar will be held on June 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Building T on the SFCC campus in Avon Park.

The Small Business Administration has received $730 million in stimulus funds to offer up to 90 percent loan guarantees, eliminate some fees and provide a new 100 percent guaranteed $35,000 loan program to specifically reach small businesses seeking credit in the current economy.

The seminar will cover how the incentives may help a business, which banks are making loans and provide insights about the program.

Jim Parrish will lead the seminar. Parrish has assisted SBDC clients in packaging millions of dollars in SBA loans and is a former commercial lender, according to Bill McKown, who is counselor with the center at USF.

There is no charge for the seminar. Those interested in attending should call McKown at 863-784-7379 to reserve a seat and to receive seminar materials.

FHREDI office to move

SEBRING - Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative office is planning to relocate to downtown Sebring.

FHREDI has been occupying space in the Heartland Workforce building on U.S. 27 in Sebring. Sam's Club is expected to locate there at some point.

Lynn Topel, FHREDI's executive director, said she wants to talk with her board of directors before discussing the new location. The board will be meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, June 15 at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Blvd., in Sebring.

Topel did say she expects to be in the organization's new office before the end of this month.

Sebring Chamber Breakfast set for Quality Inn

SEBRING - The June Sebring Chamber of Commerce membership breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 at the Quality Inn Suites & Conference Center in Sebring.

Breakfast will be served at 6:45 a.m. and the program begins at 7 a.m. The program and presentation is the Heartland Triathlon. Breakfast is $8 per person.

For more information, call 385-8448. The breakfast is for members only.

LP chamber to hold membership luncheon

LAKE PLACID - The Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon will be held at noon Wednesday, June 10 at the Lake Placid Elks Lodge.

The guest speaker will be Cheryl Sharp, business operations manager for Heartland Workforce. Topics of discussion will include employer worker training funds, job postings and applicant screening.

The cost is $8 per person. Those planning to attend are asked to e-mail chamber@lpfla.com on or before June 8.