Federal Independent Agencies
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.
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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Tennessee Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for Flooding From Tropical Storm Alberto
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Cocke, Greene and Unicoi counties in Tennessee as a result of flooding from tropical storm Alberto that began on May 15, 2018.
"These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties in North
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Cocke, Greene and Unicoi counties in Tennessee as a result of flooding from tropical storm Alberto that began on May 15, 2018.
"These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties in NorthCarolina. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included," said Kem Fleming, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations of all sizes and 3.61 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail). Loan applications can be downloaded from http://www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than April 8, 2019.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in South Carolina Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration Flooding From Tropical Storm Alberto
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties in South Carolina as a result of the flooding from tropical storm Alberto that began on May 15, 2018.
"These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties in South Carolina as a result of the flooding from tropical storm Alberto that began on May 15, 2018.
"These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary countiesin North Carolina. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included," said Kem Fleming, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations of all sizes and 3.61 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail). Loan applications can be downloaded from http://www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than April 8, 2019.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Michigan Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Michigan as a result of snow and freeze from March 1 through May 1, 2018.
The loans are available in the following counties: Alger, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft in Michigan.
"When the Secretary
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Michigan as a result of snow and freeze from March 1 through May 1, 2018.
The loans are available in the following counties: Alger, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft in Michigan.
"When the Secretaryof Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster," said Kem Fleming, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible
farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations of all sizes and 3.58 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail). Loan applications can be downloaded from sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than April 10, 2019.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Michigan Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Michigan as a result of snow and freeze from March 1 through May 1, 2018.
The loans are available in the following counties: Alger, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft in Michigan.
"When the Secretary
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Michigan as a result of snow and freeze from March 1 through May 1, 2018.
The loans are available in the following counties: Alger, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Luce, Mackinac and Schoolcraft in Michigan.
"When the Secretaryof Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected by the same disaster," said Kem Fleming, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations of all sizes and 3.58 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail). Loan applications can be downloaded from sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than April 10, 2019.
Old Species Learn New Tricks...Very Slowly
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
A quick look at the fossil record shows that no species lasts forever. On average, most species exist for around a million years, although some species persist for much longer. A new study published in Scientific Reports from paleontologists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama shows that young species can take advantage of new opportunities more easily than older species: a hint that perhaps older species are bound to an established way of life.
"We're lucky to live and work in Panama where
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
A quick look at the fossil record shows that no species lasts forever. On average, most species exist for around a million years, although some species persist for much longer. A new study published in Scientific Reports from paleontologists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama shows that young species can take advantage of new opportunities more easily than older species: a hint that perhaps older species are bound to an established way of life.
"We're lucky to live and work in Panama wherenature has set up its own evolutionary experiment," said Aaron O'Dea, STRI paleontologist. "When the Caribbean Sea was isolated from the Pacific Ocean by the slow uplift of the Isthmus of Panama, nutrient levels fell and Caribbean coral reefs proliferated. We can use the excellent fossil record to observe how Caribbean life responded to this dramatic environmental and ecological transformation."
The team's best choice for tracking the change was a peculiar family of marine animals known as the cupuladriid bryozoans. These relatively small animals consist of unusual, free-living, disc-shaped colonies of individuals called zooids. "Colonies form through sexual reproduction or asexually by cloning, as bits of the colony break off and continue to grow," said STRI post-doc and coauthor Blanca Figuerola. "They abound on the sea floor along the continental shelf across the tropics, filtering plankton from the water via a beautiful waving crown of tentacles. When colonies die, their hard skeletons remain, and are exceptionally abundant as fossils."
O'Dea's group collected and identified more than 90,000 cupuladriid colonies from 200 fossil samples and 90 more recent samples collected by dredging the sea floor. The samples contained mud, sand, coral remains and other indicators of the kind of habitats where the bryozoans had lived. The team measured the abundances of the 10 most common species along gradients of these environmental and ecological indicators.
"We were intrigued to find that, even though all species could expand into the new Caribbean habitats created after final formation of the Isthmus, different species did so at different speeds," said O'Dea. "The patterns were clear--old species that originated before 8 million years ago took 2 million years longer to expand into the new habitats than the younger species."
"Perhaps younger species, which have smaller populations, are less tied to their history," said former STRI post-doc and University of Saskatchewan researcher Santosh Jagadeeshan, another co-author. "Old species, with large, settled populations may be less able to escape from established roles and defined environmental tolerances because they mate with each other creating a high gene flow that makes it hard for genes for new traits to become established. It seems you can't teach an old dog new tricks in evolution, either."
The study was funded by Panama's National Bureau of Science, Technology and Innovation, SENACYT, Panama's National System of Researchers (SNI), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the Smithsonian Institution, STRI, the National Geographic Society and Mr. Josh Bilyk.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical biodiversity and its importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. Website (http://www.stri.si.edu/). Promo video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9JDSIwBegk
OPIC Hosts Seminar in Indianapolis for Small Business Expanding to Emerging Markets
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Aug. 16 -- The Overseas Private Investment Corp. issued the following news release:
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government's development finance institution, today in Indianapolis hosted its second small business seminar of the year. American small businesses attended the half-day seminar to learn about the opportunities of expanding into emerging markets overseas, and the OPIC finance and political risk insurance tools available to support them.
Since 2006, OPIC has hosted more than 40 workshops and seminars across the United States, educating
... Show Full Article
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Aug. 16 -- The Overseas Private Investment Corp. issued the following news release:
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government's development finance institution, today in Indianapolis hosted its second small business seminar of the year. American small businesses attended the half-day seminar to learn about the opportunities of expanding into emerging markets overseas, and the OPIC finance and political risk insurance tools available to support them.
Since 2006, OPIC has hosted more than 40 workshops and seminars across the United States, educatingalmost 5,000 American small business owners and entrepreneurs about the ways OPIC can help them compete in the global marketplace.
OPIC works with American businesses to stimulate economic development both abroad and at home.
Illinois-based Greenlight Planet, for example, used an OPIC loan of $5 million to expand its innovative off-grid solar energy solutions to homes and businesses across the developing world. With OPIC's support, the company has expanded access to clean, affordable lighting and electricity to underserved communities in over 60 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
OPIC has a history of partnering with Indiana businesses to support their overseas ventures. In 2016, OPIC committed $92.4 million to projects sponsored by Indiana companies. From the same year, it is expected that OPIC's portfolio will bring $167.4 million back to Indiana for the procurement of goods and services from local businesses.
Emerging markets can be a vital source of growth for American companies, and OPIC will continue its ongoing commitment to help American small businesses expand into high-growth markets by continuing to hold these seminars around the country.
Watch Senator Todd Young of Indiana give remarks at OPIC's Small Business seminar in Indianapolis here (https://youtu.be/tSZltP5PXHg).
National Portrait Gallery Celebrates 2018 Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with free public programs and events that highlight Hispanic artists and subjects featured in the museum's collection. In addition to fostering dialogue around the remarkable contributions of individuals, this bilingual celebration will offer insight into the ways in which Latino cultures, traditions and stories have helped shape this country's history. As part of the Portrait Gallery's initiative
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 with free public programs and events that highlight Hispanic artists and subjects featured in the museum's collection. In addition to fostering dialogue around the remarkable contributions of individuals, this bilingual celebration will offer insight into the ways in which Latino cultures, traditions and stories have helped shape this country's history. As part of the Portrait Gallery's initiativeto become fully bilingual (English and Spanish), the museum now has nine dual-language exhibitions.
The Portrait Gallery has recently added new portraits of prominent Latino figures and artists to its permanent collection through a donation by Gilberto Cardenas, professor emeritus, university of Notre Dame. A crucial figure in the development of Latino Studies in the United States, Cardenas has tirelessly supported artists and promoted the appreciation of Latino art.
"This is a transformative gift that brings into focus historical figures and artists who are key to the Latino experience," said Taina Caragol, the Portrait Gallery's curator of painting and sculpture and Latino art and history. "This group of portraits represents many trailblazers of the Latinx community and captures the social ferment of the Chicano and Nuyorican art communities."
The month-long celebration includes a special Nuestra Ciudad/Our City festival Saturday, Sept. 29, which will be presented at the museum in partnership with the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. The festival will feature local artists, musicians and dancers. In addition to the special events taking place at the Portrait Gallery during Hispanic Heritage Month, the museum will also have on view numerous portraits by Latino artists or of Latino sitters, including Rudolfo Anaya, Teresa Carreno, Antonia Hernandez, Frida Kahlo, Jose Limon and Felipe Luciano.
Programs
Thursdays at Noon: 3 in 30
Thursday, Sept. 13
G Street Lobby
People and portraits are all connected in this 30-minute tour that explores a single topic through the lens of three individuals. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, visitors will learn about the unique lives and contributions of three Latinx artists: Miguel Covarrubias, Frida Kahlo and Jose Limon.
Young Portrait Explorers: Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez
Mondays, Sept. 10 and 24; 10:30-11:30 a.m.
G Street Lobby
This program touches on art and history through storytelling. For toddlers up to age 5 and their adult companions. Registration required at npg.eventbrite.com.
Portrait Discovery Days
Saturdays and Sundays; 1-4 p.m.
Education Center
Visitors can listen to a story and create art inspired by someone in the Portrait Gallery's collection.
Sept. 15 and 16: Dolores Huerta
Sept. 22 and 23: Jose Limon
Sept. 30: Cesar Chavez
Oct. 6 and 7: Frida Kahlo
Oct. 13 and 14: Sonia Sotomayor
Thursdays at Noon: Curator's Choice
Thursday, Sept. 27
G Street Lobby
Curator Taina Caragol will discuss the Native American individuals in Ken Gonzales-Day's work on view in the exhibition "UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light."
Nuestra Ciudad/Our City--Hispanic Heritage Month Festival
Saturday, Sept. 29; 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard
Visitors can meet local artists, musicians and dancers, and join in the festivities as the museum celebrates Washington, D.C.'s Hispanic heritage. Held in partnership with Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School.
Beyond this month-long celebration, the Portrait Gallery will also host a special celebration dedicated to El Dia de los Muertos Nov. 1. This evening event will feature live music, dancing and crafts, as well as special performances in celebration of this Mexican tradition by the Washington-based band Los Gallos Negros and the Maru Montero Dance Company.
National Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery tells the multifaceted story of the United States through the individuals who have shaped American culture. Spanning the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists, whose lives tell the American story.
The National Portrait Gallery is part of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Connect with the museum at npg.si.edu, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and the museum's blog.
