If there is a new technology for the 21st century, that technology is The Greening.

Every time I start to ignore the importance of Green Investments, something pops up to remind me.  This time it's the establishment of Green Banking.  Actually it's named "New Resource Bank".  It has 240 founding investors -- a very impressive list -- and $24.7 million in initial funding, with a couple hundred million more on the way.  

New Resource Bank will target loans in alternative energy, organic farms and green construction.  The bank will serve both as a traditional community bank and as a backer of green ventures.  Read more ...

Will you be looking for venture capital money next September?  If so, make reservations now to be in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sept. 17-19 for the National Association of Seed and Venture Capital Funds.  It will be at the Peabody.  NASVF represents over 300 national and international investment and technology-based economic development funds.

The SBA recently released $12 million to open 19 new Women's Business Centers, with continued support for 80 existing programs.  SBA's WBC program provides business training and counseling to help women start and expand small businesses. Each site is required to match a portion of the federal funds with private contributions. Most centers receive about $150,000 annually toward programs and operational support. Additional support in grants and in-kind services comes from local colleges and banks.  For instance, the new WBC in Canisius, NY, receives funding from  M&T Bank, HSBC Bank, Citizens Bank, CitiGroup and First Niagara. Most centers also generate income through programs and training.  Read More

The Western North Carolina office of the state Energy Office will hold the first regional Green Venture Forum from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Haynes Center on the Enka campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Held in partnership with the Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network, the forum will showcase sustainable and clean-technology enterprises in the region, and for the potential for investment and job growth in the clean tech sector.  RSVP to David Wallace of the State Energy Office, Western region, at 670-3389.  Also give Wallace a call if you are looking for similar programs in other area -- he may be able to hook you up.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is praising the role that local organizations like Mountain Microenterprise Fund in South Carolina play in opening economic opportunities to low-income and low-wealth people.  Doors are really beginning to swing wide for microloans.  Keep an eye out in your area for new developments.  Some will be targeted to low income areas, and some will not.

Are you interested in hotel hospitality entrepreneurship?  Head on over to the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration where Lee and Mary Pillsbury are donating $15 million, earmarked to support the Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship.

The Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre (ORIC), near Penticton, Vancounver, B.C. has officially opened.  The Centre provides business mentoring as well as engineering and consulting services to innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and is the region’s only fully fledged business incubator. ORIC has been very successful in supporting its first tenant, RFind Systems. The company received the first prize in the prestigious Telus New Ventures BC Competition in September 2006.

Business Nation has launched in Minneapolis, linking entrepreneurs of color.

I have nothing against alternative medicine.  In fact, I highly respect its powers.  But this business plan ... yeeeesh.  I just couldn't believe it was still being used as a "good example".  Take a look.

Now, tell me, how much money are they looking for?  What skills do they have to make this project a reality?  There are at least 62 other failings in this business plan, but I didn't want to take the time to read it.

Whoever wrote this just doesn't realize that business plans have gotten a lot more sophisticated.  On the one hand, it is now a whole lot easier to locate information.  And on the other hand, most business plans now do a far, far better job of selling the idea and the principals.

The good news is that there are a whole of business plans out there just like this one.  And yours will be so much better there won't even be a comparison. 

SiteSell -- the web host that judges its success by your success.   Take a look at some SBI clients that have made it to the top 1% of all sites.  

Get a $100 Statement Credit with Business Gold Rewards from American Express   The best all-around business card on the market.  Many options -- sky miles, cash back, etc.  Choose the one that fits your business best.

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When your business plan is ready, send it to the Business Pros for a final polish.

"I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who died from doubt."
Charles Horace Mayo, surgeon and cofounder of the Mayo Clinic