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Small Business Development Centers Induct FFC BDO into Lender Hall of Fame

Jun 2006

For the first time in its history, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network has inducted a CDC loan officer, FFC's James Hosman, into its Lenders' Hall of Fame.

As Vice President for Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, James Hosman was nominated by the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida for his commitment to helping small businesses in Florida start or expand. The award recognizes best practices in SBDC - Lender relationships. He received the award during the Florida Small Business Development Center Network's 30th Anniversary Celebration on June 28th in Orlando.

James joined Florida First Capital in August 2002. He currently has responsibility for building awareness of the SBA 504 Loan Program and for business development in 23 Florida counties, including all of Northwest Florida. In his almost four year tenure, James has made the 504 program a well-known economic development tool in the region, where it was previously a little known, underutilized resource.

Since joining FFCFC, James has helped finance projects with over $110,000,000 in value. These projects promise to create over 1000 jobs. Many of these projects have been with clients of the UWF SBDC, SBDC at Gulf Coast Community College, and the SBDC at Florida A&M University.

“James has shown a dedication to furthering our regional small business community in ways that simply surpass making loans,” said Larry Strain, executive director of the Small Business Development Center at UWF. “FFCFC is an outstanding organization offering excellent financing alternatives for growing businesses. James personifies my opinion that FFCFC brings brains and money to the economic development process. His accomplishments and the unique partnership he has helped forge between FFCFC and the SBDC can not be applauded enough.”

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance enabling overall growth and increased profitability that contributes to the economic prosperity of the state. For more information about the FSBDCN or the SBDC at UWF, visit the website at www.FloridaSBDC.com or www.SBDC.uwf.edu .