CELEBRATING MICROBUSINESSES IN RHODE ISLAND

Gov. Donald Carcieri has signed an official proclamation, declaring Tuesday, March 30th as Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Day. This special day celebrates the successes and achievements of the 10,000+ home-based and microbusiness owners in Rhode Island. A reception and business showcase will be held at the Oceanside Café, 66 Broadway in Newport, RI from 1-3 pm. Kenneth K. McKay, IV, the Governor's Chief of Staff, will address the attendees. The event, sponsored by the Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association, Inc. is free and open to the general public.

"Our goal is to celebrate the business success of the state's many small business owners who have taken their ideas and passions and created new enterprises," according to Ann Marie Marshall, the Association's State Director. "We want to make people aware that the microbusiness sector is a viable and growing sector that makes an enormous economic impact. Through this event, we hope to further educate the public and local officials about the important role small and home-based business owners play in creating new jobs and strengthening our communities." The Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association, Inc. is actively supporting the Governor's goal of creating 20,000 new jobs during the next four years.

A microbusiness is defined as a small business with one to five employees that needs between $500 and $35,000 for start-up funds. Today, there are more than 10,000 such businesses in Rhode Island generating in excess of a billion dollars in economic activity. The Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association, Inc. offers free classes in Starting Your Own Business, Guerrilla Marketing and Guerrilla Financing at 20 training sites in 15 communities throughout the state. Classes are delivered in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Creole.

MICHAEL LALLI AND DAVID DOWNES HONORED AS MICROBUSINESS OWNERS OF THE YEAR

Michael Lalli and David Downes co-owners of Ocean Side Café, have been honored with the 1st Annual Rhode Island Outstanding MicroBusiness Award by the Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association, Inc. The recipients graduated from the Rhode Island MicroEnterprise training program in September 2002. They have successfully been in business for over nine months running Ocean Side Café, a café and catering business at 66 Broadway in Newport, Rhode Island.

Michael and David have been actively involved with the Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Association, Inc., catering several events, including the 1st Annual Rhode Island MicroEnterprise Day at the State House on March 18, 2003, and the Gilbert Stuart 2005 National Campaign Kick-off at the State House on December 3, 2003.

The business owners serve lunch and dinner at the Ocean Side Café. Each month they produce a special candlelight dinner event with extraordinary food and a unique atmosphere. Recent offerings include a Mardi Gras Celebration and a St. Patrick's Extravaganza.

Congratulations and best wishes for continued success to Michael Lalli and David Downes!

SUPPORTED BY
RHODE ISLAND HUMAN RESOURCE INVESTMENT COUNCIL - RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION - FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL - U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (DC OFFICE) - CORPORATION FOR ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

The MicroBusiness Revolution Begins Here!
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