Community Development

SBA Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

July 14, 2019

The Small Business Administration has a variety of offerings to assist woman entrepreneurs start and grow and their business endeavors. This latest video provides an in introduction to how the SBA can help you.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

Community Development

Grants from the Department of Health and Human Services

July 14, 2019

In 1979 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was established in an effort to protect the health of all Americans and to provide essential human services to everyone, especially to those who are least capable of helping themselves.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.

Community Development

Tips That Will Help You With Organic Gardening

July 14, 2019

You are committed to the idea of planting a garden that works well with the environment. The time to do it is now. This article contains helpful adivce to get you started in your organic gardening endeavors.

Indoor plants have been bred over time to thrive in temperatures that are characteristic of a home. Most indoor plants like to be in about 70 degree temperatures, plus or minus 5 degrees. The temperature needs to remain steady and warm so the plants can grow. If your thermostat is normally kept lower in winter, you can use a heat lamp to keep your plants warm enough.

To be most efficient in your gardening, always keep your tools close at hand. Use a large bucket, or wear rugged pants with several pockets. Keep common tools such as your gloves or your pruning shears within reach so that you can quickly and easily maintain your garden whenever you need to.

Flower Beds

Cover your flower beds with two or three inches of compost or organic mulch. This will prevent weeds from growing, retain humidity, and feed your plants with the nutrients they need. Also, the flower beds will look beautifully maintained at all times.

When working in the garden, try to work as efficiently as possible. You do not have the time to spend an hour looking for each tool you need. Have all of tools you will need for the day before you head out your garden. When you are finished, put them away neatly for the next time. You may also wish to invest in a tool belt to keep all of your tools within reach while gardening.

You will now be better prepared as you start pursuing organic gardening. By reading and applying the information you have learned, you can go from a novice gardener to an expert-level organic gardener in no time at all. These tips should have helped you get started growing a lovely organic garden.

Community Development

, , ,

Rock Solid Advice On How To Spruce Up Your Landscaping

July 12, 2019

It might seem like a difficult endeavor to landscape your yard, but it’s easier than you think. You will find landscaping to be easy, as long as you become as informed as possible. This guide is full of helpful landscaping tips.

If you want your landscaping to have a fresh look you should work on giving your rock or flower beds soft curves on the edges. Remember that curved beds are seen as more contemporary, as well as sharp corners. Cutting fresh edges could be an inexpensive task that could have a great impact on the way your flower bed and lawn looks.

Use a drip irrigation system to help you water your plants. The expense of this system will be worth it. This type of system continually provides water to your plants. You also save money on water as it’s all being used by the plants, none will run off or be evaporated by the sun.

Designing a garden that will look beautiful in all seasons will ensure that your hard work is enjoyed year round. Choose many different plants and flowers that thrive in your region and bloom during different seasons. You can also use trees with interesting foliage or evergreens to keep your yard looking lively all year long.

Consider consulting with a landscaping professional before you begin your next project. While you probably do not need to have them work on your entire project, spending a little money for a short consultation could help you avoid making expensive mistakes down the line. Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience, this can be an important step.

If you shop on the Internet, you can save some cash and have a greater selection. Many landscaping supply websites offer a tempting combination high quality and affordable prices. Read customer reviews before ordering to ensure a quality product. Comparative shopping between websites may also save you a considerable amount of money.

As this article stated, landscaping is not always easy. Although it may not be simple, you can create a beautiful landscape at home with just a little research and studying. Knowing the correct way to landscape is vital to success. You can landscape your home’s lawn beautifully by following the tips presented here.

Community Development

Get Excellent Information For Sprucing Up Your Garden Right Here!

July 11, 2019

Gardening is a great pastime and could bring many benefits. Whether you decide to grow a flower garden or plant some fresh herbs, you’ll find that tending to your plants is incredibly fulfilling. The ideas here can provide some gardening guidance, and give you a little hand as you get started growing your own special garden.

To grow properly, plants need adequate levels of CO2. The majority of plants thrive when they are exposed to a high level of carbon dioxide. Getting a greenhouse is the best way to get a higher amount. Higher CO2 levels can provide optimal conditions for growing plants.

Stink Bugs

When horticulture, beware of stink bugs and other insects, particularly in the autumn. Stink bugs like to reside in tomatoes, beans, and pepper plants, as well as many fruits. If they are left in the garden, they can do great damage to your plants, so you should do whatever you can to eliminate them.

If your plants do not grown very tall, try buying some knee pads used for gardening. You will spend a lot of time on your knees while gardening, which can result in knee pain. A pair of good horticulture knee pads can cushion your knees for more comfort.

Do you enjoy fresh mint leaves though hate how they grow so fast and take over your entire garden? You can slow down this growth by planting them inside a pot or container! The container will keep the roots from spreading throughout you garden, and prevent the mint leaves from sprouting in other areas.

Split up irises. Try increasing your stock by dividing your overgrown clumps of plants. If you notice a dead foliage, lift the bulb. They will literally split in your hand, flowering the next year after replanting. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. You can trim new pieces away from the outside of the bulbs and then simply throw the old center away. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. Replant your pieces right away.

As discussed at the beginning of this article, horticulture has many rewards that come with it. The benefits ranges from seeing your garden filled with brightly colored flowers and thriving, luscious green plants, to cutting your grocery bill in half by providing your family with fresh home grown vegetables. Apply these tips to make sure you do everything properly for better results.

Community Development

, ,

Small Business Administration Background

July 11, 2019

The Small Business Administration was established in 1953. Since that time the agency has dispensed millions of dollars in loans and loan guarantees, contracts, consulting assistance and other programs for small business across the United States.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.

Community Development

How You Can Benefit From Green Energy

July 10, 2019

You may be surprised at how many cheap and easy ways there are to make your home more energy efficient. With the tips in this article you can learn how to be as cost-effective as possible, all while bringing green energy into your life.

Solar powered outdoor lighting is a wonderful enhancement to your outdoor living areas. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. Not only does this save energy. It means you don’t have to wire up outdoor lights.

Use a solar water heater to keep your pools, tubs and plumbing full of piping hot, but cheap, water. Using natural gas and electricity is certainly the norm, but it’s not very energy efficient. By contrast, solar energy is very efficient, and it keeps water temperatures steady just as well as traditional heating methods. Some of these upgrades, while more expensive up-front, may qualify for green energy tax deductions.

Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. Running it with half loads is wasteful. It will likely surprise you how much you can actually put into your dishwasher when you load it properly. Make sure you take time to place the dishes in properly so as to maximize the space available.

If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, do not operate before it fills up. Dishwashers do not allow for minimizing water or power consumption. It is the same, full or not. When you run a dishwasher, use the ‘energy-saver’ setting so dishes can air-dry.

Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient. Examples of these include windows, light bulbs, and appliances, all of which have been designed to run efficiently on reduced energy. If you use these products extensively, you will see quite a bit of savings on your energy bills.

All the things we went over throughout this article are easy to implement, so don’t let excuses keep you from using them where you live. Becoming a green energy user allows for some peace of mind and more money in your budget. Implement these ideas today and make tomorrow a little brighter.

Community Development

, ,

Small Business Administration Loan Guarantees Program

July 10, 2019

The Small Business Administration has established the Loan Guarantees Program wherein they aim to be able to provide guaranteed loans to small business establishments which are not capable of acquiring financing from a private credit marketplace but greatly manifests the ability to repay funds in a timely manner.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.

Community Development

Get Your Mortgage Questions Answered In This Article

July 9, 2019

It isn’t easy to get the things you need. It’s not easy finding a great mortgage on a budget. Having the right understanding of all your options along with patience is the correct approach. Use the advice given here to get the best mortgage possible.

Don’t be tempted to borrow the maximum amount for which you qualify. The amount the lender is willing to loan you is based on numbers, not your lifestyle. Think about your own life, how you spend your money and how much you can really afford and be comfortable.

Before applying for a mortgage, have a look at your credit report to make sure everything is okay. Credit standards are becoming even more strict, so work on your credit as soon as possible.

Your mortgage loan is at risk of rejection if the are major changes to your finances. Don’t apply until you have had a steady job for a few years. You should also avoid changing jobs while you are in the loan process since your loan will depend on what is on your application.

You should have all your information available before you apply for a mortgage. This information is vital to the mortgage process that your lender will look at. These documents include prior year tax returns, bank statements, and recent pay stubs. If these documents are ready, your process will be smoother and faster.

You won’t want to pay more than about 30% of the money you make on your mortgage. If you have too much income headed to your mortgage, financial problems can ensue quickly. When your payments are manageable, it’s much easier to keep a balanced budget.

If you plan to buy a home, find out about its historical property tax information. Know what the property taxes are before you sign any papers. Your property may be assessed at a higher value than you’re expecting, which can make for a nasty surprise.

It is crucial that you understand the entire home mortgage process. You will need to have the right information, plenty of time and a lot of energy. Use the tips here to navigate the complexities of getting a mortgage. The tips here should be used to guide you through the process.

Community Development

Green Energy: Technology That Is Good For The Home And The Earth

July 9, 2019

Protecting the environment while also reducing your energy bills is simple by using green energy. You do not have to invest into things like electric cars to help the environment. Read on for information you can use to make your house energy-efficient.

When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. They don’t use any energy other than solar energy and they are cost effective. This saves a lot of energy! It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.

Use solar heating systems to heat all your water in order to save money. Heating your water with natural gas or electricity is inefficient. However, solar water is inexpensive and more efficient. While some upgrades cost more initially, they can qualify you for deductions on your tax return for using green energy.

Keep your windows shaded when trying to conserve energy. Do this by installing blinds or curtains. By utilizing these ideas, you will drop your AC costs dramatically as your house remains cooler during the summer. You will save energy, as well as money.

The government has set up several incentive programs to help consumers switch to renewable energy sources. Contact your local government in order to see the different programs available in your area. Who knows, you may qualify for low or no-cost wind or solar installation. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still use these items as a tax deduction.

Try to turn off things you are not using. When you are ready to leave a room, go around and turn off appliances such as computers, televisions, and most importantly, the overhead light. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.

It is important that if you take advantage of a dishwasher, that you only use it when you have a full load. You will use just as much water and energy to run a half-empty dishwasher as a full one. When it is time to do a load of dishes, use the dishwasher’s energy-saving mode. This makes it so that the dishes air-dry rather than being dried by heat.

There are many ways you are able to save energy at home, such as replacing furnace filters, or replacing light bulbs. Share your tips and ideas with friends and family so they can reap the rewards of green energy! Keep in mind all that you learned and apply this knowledge as soon as possible.

Community Development

,