Minority Business Grants Florida
minority business grants florida
FPL and Jatropha. Times are Changing
Florida Power and Light (FPL) continues to seek authorization from Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to raise their fees. The rate hikes if approved some time in January 2010, could provide FPL and additional 1.3 billion USD in profits per year. During 2008, FPL made 1.6 billion in profits but their management believes these are not sufficient for their shareholders, and this is the reason why they continue to pursuit the rate increase.
Generally and traditionally, “what FPL wants, FPL gets”. But this time, the PSC is delaying the rate increase decision. Could it be that the times are changing? We certainly hope so. After all, until very recently it would have been unimaginable to have witnessed such failures of the housing industry, the financial sector and the auto industry, as well as impending health care reform. If conditions have changed for these core industries, reform for a monopolistic profiteering energy sector may also be on the horizon. FPL can do much to prevent unnecessary intervention by taking steps to improve of its own accord, especially as people grow increasingly burdened by rising costs and flat or shrinking purchasing power..
The following article established some objections to FPL’s 2009-2018 Plan: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1746672/fpl_20092018_site_resource_plan_needs.html?cat=58, More specifically, this article addressed the concentration and increase of nuclear energy with two more reactors, insufficient solar energy production, and the usage of Fossil Fuels.
Some recommendations were also made in http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1750266/fpl_prefers_nuclear_energy_over_solar.html?cat=9 to research and develop the Solar Home Power Generator, and enable Florida homeowners to generate and supply electricity to FPL via net metering; and to develop and build up the energy storage technology and capacity This innovative approach would give Florida Homeowners a greater role in the production of Electricity using their roofs, and would become a positive catalyst for our economy. This modified business model would create a very strong FPL capable of becoming a successful international business player and not just a Southeastern USA monopoly. .
So far, no one in the media has addressed FPL’s reluctance to pursue innovative technologies to reduce their CO2 emissions. Why would we continue to assume that FPL is a leader in their field, when we fail to see what they are doing for the environment? This complacency does not support Florida’s economy and neighbors. Even grants and research support for our Universities to pursue the development of the Home Power Generator based on solar power is lacking. Although, we see plant modifications in FPL’s Plan, changing Oil consuming plants to Natural Gas, these as well as the other Coal burning plants, continue to burn non-renewable fossil fuels that pollute the environment and generate heavy Carbon footprints. FPL generates GHG which contribute to climate changes and no efforts are being made to replace Coal and Gas usage, which account for 66% of FPL’s fuel consumption in accordance to their Plan.
Please note that FPL management must be happy with their Coal and Natural Gas usage, and have no plans in the next 10 years to change these fuels. Although this is a company that has won three times the “Most Ethical Company” award granted by Ethisphere magazine, which take into account their innovation capability, FPL will apparently continue to use non-renewable fossil fuels, with all their ills attached.
FPL should consider the utilization of Jatropha Oil as the bio-fuel that would replace Coal and Natural Gas intakes. Jatropha is a small shrub which can be planted in marginal land. It is drought and pest resistant, and produces seeds that contain a high grade bio-fuel oil. The tree starts producing after the second year and can continue production for 30 years. Jatropha plantations are low cost, low maintenance, and an acre of land can produce up to 1260 gallons of oil per year. The jatropha seeds are crushed to extract the fuel. The crushed seed leftovers are rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, and very good for making high quality compost that can displace chemical fertilizers and strengthen the health of other food producing plants. A compost facility near to its raw materials and compost utilization lowers the cost of the compost, facilitating the production of organic crops, and the reduction of chemicals in agriculture sector.
FPL could commission land owners in Florida to plant Jatropha, very inexpensively in land not currently used for crops. Jatropha is a tree that generates Oxygen, it can earn Carbon Credits, and it produces a very high calorific renewable fuel that could be an excellent substitute to fossil fuels. Jatropha Oil burns cleaner than fossil fuels, does not require a refinement process as ethanol, it is many times cheaper than ethanol. By growing it in the state, it would provide income to Floridians.
This idea is not new. Professor Fitzroy Beckford from the Univeristy of Florida has been studying the plant for several years and has recommended its usage. See http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/AgNatRes/Pubs/SoyouwannagrowJatropha.pdf
Florida even has a company that can be used to promote the planting of Jatropha. See MyDreamFuel dot Com for seedlings and services.
Can the reader imagine the situation where, FPL instead of using Natural gas and Coal, they were buying bio-fuel from Florida producers? This would improve our economy, reduce FPL Carbon emissions, reduce demand on fossil fuels and its price pressure, and establish a new model for other Coal, Oil and Natural Gas consuming plants, to consider changing their fuel intake.
Although, FPL’s management may believe they do enough for the economy by employing 15,000 people in Florida, they fall short of what they can accomplish with minor adjustments in their strategic and tactical approach. Small changes could displace fossil fuels in a few years, benefit people, generate some loyalty in their market, recover the leadership in their industry, contain their GHG emissions.
So far, FPL has not seen the need to change their business nor their approach when they have an easy monopolistic business, and a favorable regulator and inspector. Under this scenario, all they need to improve profits is smart lobbying and sufficient advertisement and PR. With a good public perception, it will be easy to get politicians to side with FPL, thus, there is no need to modernize the business. Shareholders are happy because management generates and distributes profits, even though these are generated at the expense of the environment and consumers.
People in general, only have a voice through the Florida Public Service Commission. We hope the commission denies the rate hike and asks FPL to reconsider the many other alternatives they have to produce and distribute Electricity.
Conclusion:
FPL needs to leave it natural arrogance behind. The Planet is in Peril, we are all hurting for jobs, for a sounder economy, and to stop the abuse of companies in every sector, which is becoming too heavy to bear. We are having a hard time and FPL plays games, threatens to increase our rates, spends money in lobbying and advertisements which only distort and delays the realignment of the company we need.
Note: The author has no vested interest in any of the firms here mentioned, or any hidden political agenda, other than providing an opinion to the commission and hoping they request FPL to considers other alternatives that improve their long term plans for generating electricity.
About the Author
Management Consultant located in Miami Florida, who seeks to promote changes in organic and energy systems and models, always towards sustainability. Mission is to assists clients to design, produce, distribute, and market systems, models, or components that are ecological friendly and can produce a social and economic change. Serves as a liaison for strategic affiliations and partnerships with the goal of producing products and services which may benefit mankind and the planet.
I have an idea for a business – does anyone know about grants?
I used to own a publishing business in another state and have an idea for something here in Florida. A bank lady friend of mine mentioned that women are considered a minority and may be eligible for a grant. My questions — Does anyone know how grants work? Who to submit them to? Do they have to be repaid? What is the difference between receiving a grant and/or finding someone to invest in the business? I have had someone tell me they would invest as a silent partner, but I would rather not go that route unless I had no alternative because the partner would probably require a significant percentage of the profit and I would prefer to be the sole proprietor as I was with the company I previously owned.
Please be as detailed as possible and explain the grant process to me. Thank you
The government has special loan programs as well as certification programs for women-owned businesses to allow them to better compete in the government contracting process — but hardly any grants for starting a business (unless your business is out to revolutionize alternative energy or you live in a poor rural community)
It is a common misconception that grants are easily available for starting a business — hence many scammers prey on the gullible and make them ripe targets for scams.
It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK – lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.
Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov – these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.
Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.html
“The U.S. small business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments.”
Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business — THERE’S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show
Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT – Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program
Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women’s business ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women’s business center that will train women entrepreneurs
I suggest you read the following books to get ideas of how to finance your business:
Financing Your Small Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572484500/powerhomebizguid
Small business financing: How and Where To Get It http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0808007386/powerhomebizguid
Financing the Small Business: A Complete Guide to Obtaining Bank Loans and All Other Types of Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580626815/powerhomebizguid
The SBA Loan Book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158062202X/powerhomebizguid
Angel Capital : How to Raise Early-Stage Private Equity Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471690635/powerhomebizguid
Financing Your Small Business (Barron’s Business Library Series) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764124897/powerhomebizguid
For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center’s Foundation Grants for Individuals Online http://gtionline.fdncenter.org . It’s a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for “students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices.” Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don’t have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
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Red Lion Hotel Grants $99 Located in Grants, Red Lion Hotel Grants is in the suburbs. Hotel Features. Red Lion Hotel Grants’s restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. A poolside bar and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. Room service is available during limited hours. The hotel serves a complimentary breakfast. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness facility. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This Grants property has event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Business services and wedding services are available. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include an arcade/game room, multilingual staff, and gift shops/newsstands. Guestrooms. 126 air conditioned guestrooms at Red Lion Hotel Grants feature coffee/tea makers and blackout drapes/curtains. Bathrooms feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is available. Premium satellite television is provided. Rooms also include irons/ironing boards and clock radios. Guests may request refrigerators and wake up calls. Housekeeping is available daily. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 15.00 per room, per stayLate check out fee: USD 25.00 The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 15.00 per room, per stayLate check out fee: USD 25.00 The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. |
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Quality Inn & Suites Grants $129.91 Quality Inn & Suites Grants is located in Grants. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness facility. This hotel offers small meeting rooms and business services. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. The hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include multilingual staff and laundry facilities. Guestrooms. 58 air conditioned guestrooms at Quality Inn & Suites Grants feature coffee/tea makers and windows that open. Accommodations include refrigerators and microwaves. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. In addition to desks, guestrooms offer direct dial phones as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Satellite television is provided. Also included are hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Housekeeping is available daily. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 20 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 20 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. |
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Business District, Hollywood, Florida $49.99 Business District, Hollywood, Florida – Giclee Print |
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Shilo Inn – Grants Pass $74.75 Shilo Inn Grants Pass is located in Grants Pass. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include a sauna and a steam room. This hotel offers small meeting rooms and business services. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and the hotel has a computer station. The hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast. The property has a roundtrip airport shuttle, which is complimentary. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include express check out. This is a smoke free property. Guestrooms. 70 air conditioned guestrooms at Shilo Inn Grants Pass feature coffee/tea makers and windows that open. Bathrooms feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. In addition to multi line phones, guestrooms offer free local calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have premium cable channels and pay movies. Also included are blackout drapes/curtains and irons/ironing boards. Guests may request extra towels/bedding and wake up calls. Housekeeping is available daily. Guestrooms are all non smoking. Notifications and Fees:The following facilities will be closed during the winter: Swimming poolThe following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 25 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following facilities will be closed during the winter: Swimming poolThe following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 25 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. |
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BEST WESTERN GRANTS PASS INN $117 Hotel Year Built 1983 Year Remodeled 2006 Additional Property Description This cozy and picturesque Grants Pass, Oregon hotel is near many enchanting attractions such as the Oregon Caves, Crater Lake and many local vineyards with excellent wine tastings. Guests will find that there s something for everyone they re traveling with and they ll love the convenient location, as this hotel is between San Francisco and Seattle. The clean, cozy rooms at this pet friendly Oregon Best Western offer free high speed Internet access, cable satellite television with HBO, coffeemaker, hairdryer and more. While staying at this Grants Pass hotel, guest can enjoy an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, a business center, dry cleaning, complimentary continental breakfast each day and an onsite restaurant and cocktail lounge. In addition to comfortable lodging in Grants Pass, guests can also enjoy numerous activities such as jet boat excursions, white water rafting, fishing, biking, golfing, playing tennis that get them out and exploring the beautiful natural surroundings. Enjoy fresh air on the greens of one of three golf courses within seven miles of this Grants Pass, Oregon hotel. Guests also enjoy a day of fun and horse racing at the Grants Pass Downs. Visitors of this Oregon hotel can also experience the magnificent sights of Valley of the Rogue State Park, the Applegate River, Rainey Falls, Mount Ashland and the Redwood Forest all within about an hour s drive from this Oregon Best Western hotel. Conveniently located at the intersection of Highway 199 and Interstate 5, traveling to and from this Grants Pass hotel is easy and efficient. Additionally, the Medford Airport is only 25 miles away. For a great stay with phenomenal service at a charming hotel in Grants Pass, Oregon, reserve a stay online at the BEST WESTERN Grants Pass Inn NBR OF SUITES 10NBR OF NON SMOKING ROOMS 72NBR OF ROOMS FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED GUESTS 4LUXURY SUITES AVAILABLE. FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESSIN ALL ROOMS. TWO PERSON SPA/BATHTUB.ROOM AMENITIES FOR ALL ROOMS ROOM AMENITIES AIR CONDITIONING / AM/FM ALARM CLOCK / CABLE/SATELLITE TV / COFFEE/TEA MAKER / COLOR TV / DIRECT DIAL TELEPHONE / FREE LOCAL TELEPHONE CALLS / HAIRDRYER / IRON/IRONING BOARD / MEAL INCLUDED BREAKFAST / NO SMOKING ROOM / PRIVATE BATH OR SHOWER / RADIO / REMOTE CONTROL TV / STEREO SYSTEM / TELEPHONE / TELEVISION TECHNOLOGY DATAPORT / HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS CHARGEABLE AMENITIES ANALOG DIAL UP DATAPORT NBR OF ROOMS 84 WIRELESS DATAPORT NBR OF ROOMS 84 |
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Business Section, Miami Beach, Florida $49.99 Business Section, Miami Beach, Florida – Giclee Print |
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Business District, Ft. Myers, Florida $49.99 Business District, Ft. Myers, Florida – Giclee Print |
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Business District, Vero Beach, Florida $49.99 Business District, Vero Beach, Florida – Giclee Print |
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Super 8 Motel Grants Pass Or $66.89 Super 8 Motel Grants Pass Or is located in Grants Pass. Property Features. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool and a spa tub. This motel has a business center and offers small meeting rooms and business services. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include laundry facilities. Guestrooms. 79 guestrooms at Super 8 Motel Grants Pass Or feature coffee/tea makers and safes. Accommodations include refrigerators and microwaves. Wireless Internet access is available. Premium cable television is provided. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet deposit: USD 25 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet deposit: USD 25 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. |
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Grants Travelodge $37 Grants Travelodge |
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Americas Persecuted Minority: Big Business $12.63 No Synopsis Available |
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Holiday Inn Express Grants Pass $149 Holiday Inn Express Grants Pass is located in Grants Pass. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool and a spa tub. This hotel has a business center and offers a meeting/conference room. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas. The hotel serves a complimentary breakfast. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include laundry facilities. Guestrooms. 80 air conditioned guestrooms at Holiday Inn Express Grants Pass feature coffee/tea makers and safes. Refrigerators and microwaves are offered. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is available. In addition to complimentary newspapers, guestrooms offer phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have premium satellite channels and complimentary TV Internet access. Rooms also include windows that open and irons/ironing boards. Housekeeping is available daily. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 10 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 10 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. |
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Minority The $10.29 Rated: NASynopsis: The Minority, filmmed in New York city in 2007, is a fictional story about a young, honest african american guy who is oblivious to racial discrimination. Then he gets fired from his job and experiences a series of racially biased incidents which deeply affects his cheerful personality. The Minority is an ambitious and courageous film that questions the current state of race relations. |
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National Directory of Minority-Owned Business Firms $42.47 This book is in Good Used condition |
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National Directory of Minority-Owned Business Firms, 1988 $190.13 No Synopsis Available |
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Business Ethics : The Ethical Revolution of Minority Shareholders $48.7 No Synopsis Available |
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Minority Business Success : Refocusing on the American Dream $58.5 No Synopsis Available |
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National Directory of Minority-owned Business Firms $287.63 No Synopsis Available |
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National Directory of Minority Owned Business Firms $287.63 No Synopsis Available |
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Minority Report $179.99 Minority Report – Framed Poster |
