SBA announces new regional director
The U.S. Small Business Administration last week announced the appointment of Calvin Goings, as the regional administrator in Region X, assigned to oversee programs and services in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
"Both the SBA and small businesses of the Pacific Northwest will benefit greatly from Calvin's career in public service and commitment to community development," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.
The Region X office, headquartered in Seattle, oversees the SBA's district offices in Seattle and Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Boise, Idaho; and Anchorage, Alaska.
Goings currently serves as the senior adviser to the president at the Washington Credit Union League. Before his work in the private sector, Goings served in elected office for nearly two decades, serving as a Pierce County Fire Commissioner, Pierce County Council member and as a Washington state Senator.
Murray introduces community bank aid package
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) unveiled a major new legislative initiative to assist community banks in increasing lending to small businesses and families in an effort to create jobs.
Murray's bill, The Main Street Lending Restoration Act, will direct $30 billion in unused Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funding to help community banks and get them to lend money to businesses.
"This will help to expand community bank's capacity to lend again, improve investor confidence, and enhance their ability to raise new capital," Murray said. "It will also help local businesses get the loans they need to expand and create jobs."
Baird secures sales tax deductions
Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) celebrated last week's passage of a crucial bipartisan measure extending sales tax deductibility for another year, potentially saving Washington state families and businesses as much as $500 million in federal taxes next year.
State residents already can deduct sales taxes for 2009 when they file returns this coming April. The bill passed by the House last week will extend that provision through 2010 as well.
