Annual Update of Key Facts About Women-Owned Businesses

Aug 28, 2007 - Washington, DC – The most widely distributed source of facts on women-owned businesses was released today by the Center for Women’s Business Research.   The pocket-sized fold-out contains the top line findings from current research by the Center and is expanded this year to also include facts from related research.

Key Facts about Women-Owned Businesses – 2007 Update, is underwritten by the MassMutual Financial Group. 

“The Center for Women’s Business Research launched the ’fact card’ 14 years ago,” said Margaret M. Smith, chair, Center for Women’s Business Research.  “Since then it has expanded from four panels to 10 panels of the most up-to-date knowledge about women-owned businesses.  Today, it is one of our signature products and is always in high demand.  Everyone from researchers, government officials, business representatives and reporters know that if they have this card, they have a good overview of the status and significance of this nation’s 10.4 million women-owned businesses at their finger tips.”

In addition to the number of women-owned firms, the fact card contains the following facts, among others:

• Women-owned firms employ nearly 13 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in sales.

• Between 1997 and 2006, majority women-owned firms (51 percent or more women-owned) grew at twice the rate of all firms (42 percent vs. 24 percent).

• The vast majority (83 percent) of women business owners are personally involved in selecting and purchasing technology for their businesses.

• Women owners of firms with revenues of $1 million or higher embrace financial measurements as management tools and produce more financial reports more often than smaller firms.

• There are 2.4 million firms owned 50 percent or more by women of color in the U.S., employing 1.6 million people and generating nearly $230 billion in sales.

• More than two-thirds (67 percent) of women business owners choose financial products and services based on their relationship and experience with a lender.

“The fact card speaks to the increasingly important and influential roles that women play as business owners, employers, and consumers,” said Susan W. Sweetser, Vice President, Focus Markets, MassMutual. “We’re committed to their continued success, which is why MassMutual has assumed a leadership role in serving women business owners for both their business and personal financial needs.”

“MassMutual has been a long-time partner with the work of the Center for Women’s Business Research,” said Sharon Hadary, executive director.  “In fact it sponsored the first fact card, and has continued support for creating more opportunity for women-owned firms through underwriting research.  We are pleased to have MassMutual sponsoring the fact card again this year.

      To obtain copies of the fact card, email info@womensbusinessresearch.org or call Christopher Clark at 202.638.3060 x 718.   Cost is $70.00 per packet of 100.  Discounts are available for the Center’s corporate partners, supporters, and members of women business owner associations.  For further information, contact the Center for Women’s Business Research, 1411 K Street, N.W., Suite 1350, Washington, DC, 20005-3407.

About the Center for Women’s Business Research

The Center for Women’s Business Research provides data-driven knowledge that advances the economic, social, and political impact of women business owners. We do this by setting the national agenda; creating insight on the status and achievements of women business owners; altering perceptions about the economic viability and progress of women-owned enterprises, and driving awareness of the economic and social impact of this vital business sector.  For more information, visit www.womensbusinessresearch.org.
About MassMutual
MassMutual Financial Group is the fleet name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliates, with more than $450 billion in assets under management at year-end 2006. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual's subsidiaries.
Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company headquartered in Springfield, Mass.  MassMutual's major affiliates include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., MassMutual International LLC and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at www.massmutual.com.

Contact: Juanita M. Weaver

Director of Media & Strategic Alliances

Center for Women’s Business Research

202-638-3060 x 719

jweaver@womensbusinessresearch.org

Kathleen Gilroy (for MassMutual)

Madison Communications

617-723-4891

kgilroy@madisoncommunications.com

Incentives Approved for Possible Building of Southern Power Plant

July 24, Cleveland County, NC –At the Cleveland County Commissioners’ meeting on July 24, incentives were approved for the possible development of a Southern Power electric generating plant.  The building of the plant will be determined by sales of wholesale electricity contracts and developed in several phases.

The plant site has the potential to accommodate multiple natural gas units with a combined capacity of 1800 megawatts. The type of wholesale contracts obtained will also govern the order and type of units constructed.

Southern Power owns approximately 200 acres in the southern part of Cleveland County, near the South Carolina state line, where the potential plant would be developed.  Long term investment for the county could range anywhere between $120 - $900 million.

Contact: Adrian Camp, Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce – 704-487-8521

About Southern Power - a subsidiary of Southern Company acquires, builds, manages and owns generation assets that have been constructed for the wholesale market. Southern Power is the largest wholesale energy provider in the Southeast, meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities in one of the fastest growing regions of the country. Southern Power currently owns and operates more than 6,700 megawatts of generation assets in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. For more information regarding Southern Power, contact Mike Tyndall at 1-800-506-5333 or visit their website at www.southernco.com.

July 30, Shelby, NC -  Greater Shelby Community Theatre, along with Cherryville Little Theatre will present The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Cherryville Municipal Auditorium August 2, 3 and 4^th at 7:30 pm and August 5^th  at 2:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the door.  This play, like all of Shakespeare’s works, is intended for mature audiences and parental guidance is suggested.  Cherryville theatre is located at the corner of Elm and Academy Streets in Cherryville.  For a map to Cherryville Municipal Auditorium or more information see www.gsct.org.  or call 828.289.5522.

If you missed it the first time or loved it so much you want to see it again, here is your chance.   Hold on to your funny bones!  The Bard is back like never before!  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is far from a stuffed-shirt variety of classical drama.  Instead, it is a tongue-in-cheek version of all of Shakespeare’s masterpieces condensed into ninety minutes of frantic fun.  Laughter abounds when three actors, complete with costume changes, perform all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays!  (Well, at least parts of them.)

            This playful parody is directed by  Dale Koontz. GSCT veteran actors Joseph Hurdt, Chris Huffstetler, and Chad Spurling create the madcap hilarity.

About Greater Shelby Community Theatre - In 1975, community theatre was revived when Charles W. Cox, a retired Gardner-Webb College professor, organized the group known as the Greater Shelby Community Theatre. GSCT receives funding from NC Grassroots grant and the Cleveland County Arts Council, but its primary funding is reliant on season ticket memberships

July 30, Albermarle, NC - Falling Rivers Gallery will open her doors to the public Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.  Located in the old Belk / Jim Davis Drug Store building at 119 West Main Street in downtown Albemarle, NC, the gallery is a long-awaited dream of the Stanly County Arts Guild. 

 Featured in the gallery will be quality art works and fine crafts created by members of the Stanly County Arts Guild.  Among the works featured will be oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, pottery, needlework, stained glass, wearable art, jewelry, furniture, Indian reproductions, gourd art, equine art, and mixed media creations.

The opening of the Gallery has been made possible by countless hours of volunteer work by Guild members and their families, donations from local businesses, and the owners of the building, Albemarle Improvement, LLC.

Falling Rivers Gallery will be opened five days a week, Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30.p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

            Artists interested in displaying their work should call the gallery during regular business hours. For more information regarding Falling Rivers Gallery please contact the gallery or  Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau.