Out with the Old, Fold Into the Goals for The Veterans Corporation
Posted on December 31, 2008
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Sometimes, maybe once in a lifetime, a person gets to drive their advocacy with a new mission that blends heart, head and passion.
This is my time! I now get to help a bunch of Veteran entrepreneurs help their communities. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Thanks to all that have helped me build the NEOF concept. Happy New Year!
This Veteran Goes to the New Market Tax Credit Coalition Meeting
Posted on December 2, 2008
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The broad coalition that has built the NMTC Program had it annual meeting and are now moving to expand the NMTC program (16 billion in 39% tax credits) in light of its perceived value for the coming new economic stimulus package. I was pleased that several NMTC players have figured out ways to prove that NMTC can work for small businesses too. Now Veterans just have to get the SBA and Congress on board to make sure Veteran-owned businesses get a fair shot at these resources.
Richard Portis
Posted on November 10, 2008
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When it comes to Pittsburg and Veterans, you only need to know one name- Richard Portis. Why? Because he knows how things work, and if he doesn’t, he knows where to send aspiring veteran entrepreneurs to others that do. I was pleased to attend a recent regional conference at a Robert Morris facility which was well attended by the area politicians. All of the key players acknowledged Richard’s work. I’m proud to call him my friend. Keep doing, Richard!
There’s Much Heart In Manassas Park
Posted on October 14, 2008
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Sometimes you get to meet a family that that has paid a terrible price for their patriotism and you want to somehow reach out, but you feel awkward. That’s how I first felt when I went to visit Joe Briseno and his son Jay, one of the most severely wounded veterans of the Iraq War. Joe is a veteran too, but his mission for the past several years has been to assure the best 24/7 care for his hero son. It’s been tough for the Briseno family, but they exude love and take an ISO 9000 approach to Jay’s nursing care. Joe is such an expert now that he’s developed a plan with his family to build the first specialized nursing service for other severely disabled veterans. I plan to do what it takes to help Joe and to keep experiencing the broad smiles and determined attitudes of the Brisneo family.
Building America’s Economy in West Virginia with Veteran Entrepreneurs, one business at a time.
Posted on September 29, 2008
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In West Virginia it’s all about M.E, not “me”, it’s about M.E. Gamble who runs the West Virginia Small Business Development Center for Governor Joe Manchin. I had the opportunity to work with M.E. to help address Access to Capital needs for Veterans in West Virginia. If you’re a Veteran Entrepreneur in WV you’ll miss utilizing a tremendous asset if you don’t check out what M.E. has to offer. Check out her website at http://www.sbdcwv.org/ . Complemented by great franchise professionals, surety bonding experts and the SBA folks, I got to participate in a well balanced seminar organized by the Veterans Corporation at the Armory in Charleston, WV. It was a great day! I got to help some Veteran small business people and then got to drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Thanks M.E.!
SBA Veterans Advisory Committee Prepares its four year vision
Posted on September 23, 2008
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Taking the “help desk” back to Washington, D.C., I had the opportunity to voice my opinions to the Committee which was completing its annual report on Veterans small business issues. They were very responsive to ideas for expanding and standardizing our help desk concept and using New Markets Tax Credits for Patriot Express Loans. They were also receptive to the idea of pointing out to Congress the sad fact that recent legislation requiring to establishment of a new Task Force to examine gaps in service to Veteran Small Businesses has already been ignored. The report will go to Congress and the SBA Administrator in October. Hopefully, Congress will pay attention to this important work.
The Help Desk goes to the Department of Treasury
Posted on September 16, 2008
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Got to go to the Department of Treasury Building and view their beautiful and unique triple domes. My visit took place the day after announcement of the details of the major meltdown in the US financial system. Expecting a lot of angst, I was relieved to be welcomed by Deputy Treasury Robert Kimmitt who exhibited a calm and confident demeanor. I learned that he was a decorated Vietnam Veteran himself. Most importantly, I learned he was open to suggestions and listened to our quest for New Markets Tax Credits for small business. He readily agreed to put our issue on his agenda to advance Treasury’s goals for helping Veteran owned businesses.
The American Legion comes through for New Markets Tax Credits for Veterans
Posted on August 27, 2008
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As a relatively recent member of the American Legion, I was personally skeptical that a big , old organization could move quickly on passing a resolution supporting New Markets Tax Credits. However, Joe Sharpe, Director of the Economic Commission and his staff guided Resolution 363 to passage at the Legion’s Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Here’s hoping Congress might listen to the Legion’s 2.4+ million members. Veterans got a “twofer” at the conference as Joe also put together outstanding panels showing Veteran and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses how to develop strategies to access contracts with all Federal Agencies.
The Help desk goes to Montana
Posted on August 7, 2008
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If you’re ever in Western Montana and you need some assistance with a Veteran issue, go to the Valley Veterans Service Center in the Bitterroot Valley. One of the only private nonprofits with direct computer links to the Veterans Administration, the Center provides a taste of what’s possible when people really want to help veterans with real issues. It was started by one the “good guys” from the Vietnam Era, Ron Skinner. Ron’s passion is the outdoors and he has the soul of real cowboy. I also appreciate him for helping me help the “Three Aces”, three passionate Iraq veterans now trying to live their dream by building their own outfitting business in Montana. My heartfelt thanks to Ron for helping all us Veterans and our children too!
The Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET –Force) steps up for New Markets Tax Credits for Veteran Owned Small Businesses. Ask a Veteran and you’ll get help!
Posted on July 23, 2008
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The Help Desk asked VET – Force, Chaired by Rick Weidman of Vietnam Veterans of America, to acknowledge an ongoing problem that Veterans (especially Service Disabled Veterans) have trouble accessing capital for small business ventures. Their answer was swift and forceful. By unanimous consent the VET – Force group, consisting of over a dozen Veteran Service Organizations (including the Association for Service Disabled Veterans, the National Association of Black Veterans, and many other prominent Veteran organizations) passed a resolution supporting more New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) for Small Business, and an accompanying directive to the Small Business Administrator to make the SBA Patriot Loan Program eligible for NMTC. Congress, we hope you’re listening!
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About
I'm Jim Mingey and I travel across the country in my jeep helping service disabled veterans build businesses.
This is a journal of my days changing people's lives. -
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