Because of the federal stimulus package, the Small Business Administration has announced several changes aimed at getting credit flowing back to business.
“We are excited about these changes and look forward to helping small businesses in our community take advantage of SBA loan programs,” said Heidi Whitesell, vice president and commercial SBA lender of Community Bank of Rowan.
The SBA 7(a) loan program, which is used to meet a company’s beginning or expanding operations, will do a couple of things temporarily:
– Raise the government loan guarantee to 90 percent for all SBA 7(a) loans under $1.67 million. Previously, the guarantee was 85 percent for loans at or below $150,000 and up to 75 percent for larger loans.
– Waive the borrower’s SBA 7(a) guaranty fee (typically 3 percent of the loan amount).
In addition, the SBA 504 loan program, which provides long-term loans for land, building, machinery and equipment, will temporarily waive loan fees for both the borrower and lender.
The changes will be available through Dec. 31.
Community Bank of Rowan’s Whitesell oversees the government guarantee loan program at the bank and was previously director of the Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
“The SBA loan programs are important in helping small businesses in our community stay in business and expand when opportunities occur,” said Bruce Jones, president and chief executive officer of Community Bank of Rowan. “These changes will allow us to lend to area businesses and strengthen our community’s economy.”
Community Bank of Rowan ranked second among community banks in North Carolina for SBA lending during the 2008 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. Community Bank of Rowan has the SBA’s preferred lender program designation, meaning the bank can receive the fastest approval in the country on SBA loans for qualified small business customers.
Auction house opens on Faith Road
FAITH ó Gary Yost, a licensed N.C. auctioneer specializing in antiques and estates, has opened an auction house at 3703 Faith Road, just outside of town.
He’ll conduct his first N.C. auction April 18. More information on his services is available at www.yosties.com, or by calling 704-279-2266.
His N.C. auction license is NCAL8714, and Yost also is licensed in two other states.
The 5,000-square-foot auction house is located at the former Bombat plant.
Yost also is owner of Yosties Original Bakery & Eatery, known for its cinnamon buns, at 209 N. Main St., Faith.
Presbyterian Hospital earns recognitionThe American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) has recognized Presbyterian Hospital as one of 26 participating hospitals in the United States that have achieved exemplary outcomes for surgical patient care.
“The goal of ACS NSQIP is to reduce infections, other complications and deaths related to surgical procedures,” said Dr. Stephen Wallenhaupt, chief medical officer of Novant Health. “Additionally, the program provides a firm foundation for surgeons to continuously make improvements in the practice of surgery for the benefit of our patients.”
The ACS NSQIP recognition program commends a select group of hospitals for achieving exemplary outcome performances related to patient care management in five clinical areas:
– Deep vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism.
– Cardiac incidents (cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction).
– Respiratory incidents (unplanned intubation, ventilator dependence for more than 48 hours and pneumonia).
– Surgical site infections-superficial and deep incisional and organ-space SSIs.
– Urinary tract infection.
The 26 hospitals commended achieved the distinction of attaining exemplary results in two or more of the five areas listed above. Risk-adjusted data from the June 2008 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report were used to determine which hospitals demonstrated exemplary outcomes.
Dr. William A. Walker, chief of the Presbyterian Hospital Medical Staff and a colorectal surgeon added, “By being one of the first non-university hospitals in North Carolina to adopt ACS NSQIP, Presbyterian Hospital reaffirmed its commitment to provide high quality care to our patients.
“This is another example of the excellent collaboration between Presbyterian Hospital and its medical staff to improve our patient outcomes.”
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient.
The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. The College has more than 74,000 members, and it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.
Autism Society names Employer of the Year
The Autism Society of North Carolina’s 2008 Employer of the Year Award was presented to the Lutheran Family Home of Albemarle.
The presentation came during the Autism Society’s annual conference on Autism Spectrum Disorder held March 28.
The Employer of the Year award is given for outstanding contribution by an employer of persons on the autism spectrum.
The Lutheran Family Home of Albemarle has contributed significantly to the autism community by offering employment and volunteer training opportunities to adults with autism over the past five years.
These opportunities are offered in an integrated community setting. The jobs are varied and tailored to the individual’s abilities and interests.
“There are nearly 50,000 people living with autism in North Carolina,” said Scott Badesch, chief executive officer of the Autism Society of North Carolina. “Adult vocational services such as those offered at the Lutheran Family Home of Albemarle are critical to ensuring that these individuals have the opportunity to be productive, participating members of our communities.”
National Professional Social Work month
Each year, March is National Professional Social Work month.
To close out the month, Gentiva home health reflected on the history and appreciation of the profession by celebrating this occasion and the theme, Purpose and Possibility, with area social workers.
Social workers in attendance included Shanna Brown, Caroline Atwell, Shirley Rye, Heather Iannone, Andrea Pike, Brittany Spaider, Tara Meadows, Becky Norman, Martha Parrot and Tory Curran from area skilled nursing centers.All were invited to a carnival hosted by Gentiva. The bean bag toss, bubble gum art and the hoola hoop contest were among several games, lots of food and prizes.
“Social workers are essential to our organization, and they work diligently with us and with patients and families with a wide range of services to help coordinate the home health care needs for our patients,” says Mary Hudson, home care specialist of Gentiva home health.
Contact Gentiva home health at 704-636-3334.