Community Development

SBA Celebrates Woman-Owned Veteran Small Businesses

May 2, 2019

Woman Business Owners from around the country join U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet for this special Veteran’s Day Google Hangout-On-Air.

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

Minority Business Enterprise Centers

May 2, 2019

Program wherein it aims to support minority-owned businesses by providing them with electronic and one-on-one business development services for nominal fees.

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.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

Community Development

Increase Your Gardening Skills Through These Great Organic Gardening Tips!

May 2, 2019

While organic gardening is normally extremely enjoyable and relaxing, it can also cause you major problems if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. The following tips will assist you in becoming an accomplished organic gardener.

When you are organic gardening, ask your children to lend a hand. An organic garden will help your child learn more about plants and insects, and it’s a wonderful bonding time while growing healthy produce.

One way to encourage an organic garden to be sustainable and healthy is to put aside a section to stay undeveloped, thus encouraging wildlife to approach it. Doing this will allow creatures that help plants to produce and pollinate to continue their actions, which will have a positive effect on the garden you develop.

Indoor Plants

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. They need the temperature to be that warm so that they can grow. If your home isn’t that warm during in winter, try a heat lamp to use on your organic plants instead.

Keep your garden tools close at hand to make the most of your gardening time. Put them into a basket you carry with you, or use an apron with many pockets and hanging loops. Have gloves, shears, a trowel and anything else you need handy for quick use.

When your plants begin to sprout, they can survive in somewhat cooler temperatures. It’s important to move the plants away from any heat source as they grow larger. You can now take off any protective coverings on your plants that were there to shield them from the elements. Check on your seeds periodically to make sure you know when to remove the films.

As you have seen from the above article, there is quite a bit more to successful organic gardening than a lot of people realize. It requires a lot of work and patience, but it will be worth it in the end to have a beautiful organic garden. Follow the tips and you can increase your gardening skills.

Community Development

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Green Energy Advice You Really Need To Know

May 1, 2019

Beginning to use green energy does not have to be difficult. You may not know exactly where to start, or what changes would be most beneficial to you while being environmentally friendly. Read the article below for tips to help you live a greener life inside your own walls.

Wear natural fabrics instead of running your air conditioner during summer months. Cotton and linen wick away moisture from your skin so that you stay cooler. Lighter colors also make you feel cooler.

If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. Sometimes you can make the switch to some use of biodiesel fuels without having to purchase new parts or make costly modifications. Bio-diesel is more efficient and burns cleaner than conventional petroleum, which in turn, reduces the environmental impact from your home during the winter.

When you are away from home, use window coverings. Heavy drapes help keep you home cool, resulting in energy savings. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.

Consider installing a solar water heating system. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are not a problem, you can purchase a system that heats water through a heater that is solar before it pumps it in your home. Make sure you own traditional water heaters for backup during cold days.

Know the available energy options in your community. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. For example, it might be wise to use natural gas instead of electric heat or water from the well rather than city water.

Turn off appliances if you are not using them. Any rooms in the home that are vacant should not have any electronics or lights left on. You can save a lot of money on energy by investing into a new power strip for all of your electronics and turning it off when those electronics aren’t in use.

Each home’s layout is different and located in different places. Since each home has its own characteristics, what will work for one, may not work for another. There are some green solutions that one homeowner may implement but that may not work for another. Research the different options available to you and then select the one that is a perfect fit for your own home.

Community Development

What You Need To Know About The Department of Transportation

April 30, 2019

The mission of the Department of Transportation revolves around the idea of serving the United States of America through the development of a fast, safe, accessible, efficient and convenient transportation system that will meet our essential national interests and at the same time would improve the quality of life today, and in the future.

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.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

Community Development

How Organic Gardening Can Help You Thrive And Survive

April 29, 2019

Growing organic vegetables and fruits is both healthy and delicious and much better than produce you can get at the supermarket. Rather than purchasing it from stores, you can choose to grow it yourself. Read below to learn how to grow your very own organic garden.

Think about planting everbearing strawberries in your garden, especially if you have small children. You will find that they enjoy participating in gardening if they are allowed to pluck the fresh berries and eat them straight from the earth.

Growing Plants

If you are growing plants organically indoors, you have to consider the light that they are getting. If you live in a home or apartment that does not get great sunlight you may want to consider growing plants that are designed to grow in low or medium-light environments. You can also try using artificial lighting to help.

It is simple to prepare your garden for perennial flowers. Use a spade to dig up some soil, flip the soil over, and finally, sprinkle around 3-4 inches of wood chips on the soil. After a few weeks, you may then utilize the area to plant your flowers.

Keep your tools handy to work more efficiently. You can do this by using a bucket, or you can wear rugged pants or a gardening apron that has 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.

After your seeds begin to sprout, it is not as important to keep them warm. You can begin to move them further from the heat source as they become seedlings. It is wise to take plastic covers off of the containers in order to eliminate humidity and excess heat. Watch the seeds so you can know when you do this.

Make sure you don’t let your chores pile up when it comes to your garden Even if you can’t tend to your garden daily, you can do little things to help so that there is not a huge amount of work to be done when you are ready to get back to it. Try pulling a few weeds from the garden while your dogs are out doing their business.

Don’t settle for produce that is inferior. Use what you learn from this article in order to grow your own vegetables and fruits.

Community Development

Where To Find Great Outdoor Landscaping Ideas

April 28, 2019

Is your landscaping completely pathetic? Would you use a harsher word to describe it? Do you find yourself getting a lot of no-shows at your backyard parties? Well, you no longer have to be seen as the outsider in your neighborhood. Instead, read this article to find advice that can help you to spruce up your home, in order to make it appealing to everyone who sees it.

It is very difficult to landscape your whole residence all at once. Instead, try to divide the job into smaller projects, which will be easier for you and a bit less expensive as well. If any changes arise, this will make it easier to implement them.

When modifying your yard during landscaping projects, make sure you take existing structures into consideration before you ever touch your shovel to the dirt. Always take into consideration the location of various hazards in your landscape. These can include AC units, cables, sprinkler systems and even gutters. Do not impede these areas in your design. Be sure you get a hold of the county or city you live in before you dig, in case there are lines underground.

For the inexperienced do-it-yourself landscaper, it is a good idea to consult with a professional landscaper to get their professional opinion on your design. A professional will give you key information that will help your project run smoothly. They generally cost about $75, so it can be worth it to avoid costly mistakes later on.

Spending less is not always the right thing to do. Inexpensive materials will not always have the quality you are after. Choosing a specialty store can give you the expertise of the staff, a guarantee that the product will work as advertised and the ability to support your local economy.

Armed with the information you have read, and any more you find, you can create a lawn that could be the envy of the neighborhood and make them think you are a guru. The most difficult thing will be to convince them that you did the work on your own, because the results will look professional due to the tips that this article has provided. Good luck with that!

Community Development

Small Business Administration HUBZone Program

April 28, 2019

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones Empowerment Contracting Program provides federal contracting assistance to eligible small businesses located in underutilized business zones to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area’s economic development.

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 Information On Getting Into Home Improvements

April 27, 2019

Renovations and repairs! Taking the time to make changes to your home results in a beautiful residence that you can be proud of. Home improvement can aid in your health. The following piece is full of insight into how you can cheaply and successfully complete such jobs. By reading these pointers prior to launching a project, you are sure to be glad.

If you have the available funds you should choose real hard wood floors rather than laminate. Although laminate might look real and be easy to clean, you cannot refinish it. Years from now, you or the new owner are going to need to replace the entire floor, not just refinish it.

If you plan to redo your roof, use light colored tile. This choice will ensure your attic doesn’t absorb excess heat as the light colors reflect the rays of the sun. This can save you quite a bit on your power bill.

Think about adding a microwave above your range if you have limited kitchen counter space. Microwave ovens add class and style to your home, and many come with a lot of special features. This is not a suitable option for those who need high-powered ventilation, but it is a great idea for the everyday cook.

Aluminum Foil

Use aluminum foil to cover your wall outlets before painting. It is far easier to use aluminum foil than tape, and your covers will be shielded from possible splatters. It is quick and easy to remove, too. Let paint dry prior to removing the foil.

You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of advice that you’ve read. Just tackle your projects carefully and patiently. Gradually you can transform your home into one you are really proud of and happy to show your friends. You will be able to say that you improved your home on your own. You will be able to sit back and enjoy your creation once you are done.

Community Development

Home Mortgages 101: What You Need To Know

April 26, 2019

When you buy a home, you need a mortgage, but that also means you need to do your research. But, reading the information here will help you to make the best home loan decisions. Keep reading to learn more.

Mortgage Loan

Do not take on new debt and pay your old debts responsibly while awaiting your mortgage loan decision. You can qualify for more on your mortgage loan when you lave a low consumer debt balance. High consumer debt could lead to a denial of your mortgage loan application. The rates of your mortgage may also be higher when you have a lot debt.

In order to be approved for a home loan, you need a good work history. Many lenders expect to see work history of two years or more in order to grant a loan approval. Switching jobs too often can cause you to be disqualified for a mortgage. Also, avoid quitting from any job during the application process.

Mortgage Lender

When faced with financial difficulties, always talk to your mortgage lender. Many purchasers are afraid to discuss their problems with a lender; if you are in financial trouble try to renegotiate the terms of your loan. Pick up the phone, call your mortgage lender and ask what possibilities exist.

If your house is worth less than what you owe and you’ve been unsuccessful in refinancing it, try again. There are programs, such as HARP, that allow people in your situation to refinance. Talk to your lender since they are now more open to a HARP refinance. If this lender isn’t able to work on a loan with you, you can find a lender who is.

Mortgages let people get into their dream homes and live there. With your increased knowledge you will be able to make your mortgage the best possible. You can rest secure in the knowledge that you will be able to afford your home mortgage payments for years to come.

Community Development

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