SBA official stopping in Bradenton today

BRADENTON - A federal small business official will be stopping off at City Hall at 10:30 a.m. today.

City public information officer Tim McCann said in a press release that Gil Colon, the deputy district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, plans to spend the day in Manatee County,

The purpose of his visit is to meet with economic development professionals in the area, alert the area to the opportunities available through the SBA and to learn about any opportunities available in the area. Colon will also meet with two current SBA clients.

The Small Business Administration's South Florida District Office oversees the delivery of agency programs such as financial assistance, management counseling and business development in the South Florida area. The office manages the implementation of SBA's program and services for the South Florida District, which serves more than 1 million small businesses in the 24 counties south of Orlando.

Additionally, the South Florida office has oversight responsibilities for 15 chapters of SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business, two Women's Business Centers and several Small Business Development Centers administered by Palm Beach Community College, University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and Brevard Community College, Indian River Community College and the University of Central Florida. The South Florida SBDC network operates 19 service locations throughout the district.

During fiscal year 2008, the South Florida District Office approved 2,786 small business loans, valued at $735 million.