SEED Awards Concord Health Services of Cranston, RI and Emerge Public Relations of Quincy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 November 2008
Maria Gooch-Smith, Executive Director
508-822-1020

The South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation announced today the selection of Concord Health Services, Inc. of Cranston, R.I. as the “Small Business of the Year” for 2008.

“We are very pleased to present our Small Business of the Year award to a company that provides needed health services and has grown to 175 employees in 11 years,” stated Maria Gooch-Smith, SEED's executive director. “This is our first award winner in Rhode Island,” added Gooch-Smith.

SEED has selected Emerge Public Relations, LLC of Quincy, MA., a woman-owned company, as the “Start-Up Small Business of the Year” for 2008. The awards will be presented at SEED's 26th Annual Meeting starting at 5:30 pm on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at White's of Westport.

“In these challenging economic times, SEED stands ready to assist small businesses in the region, and continues to make loans,” explained Gooch-Smith. She added that SEED's active portfolio of small business loans is now $110 million, and that SEED has received national recognition, the “2008 SBA Excellence in Lending Award”, for its service to small businesses.

According to Gooch-Smith, as the region's local development company for the last 26 years, SEED has made close to 1,500 loans totaling $230 million, leveraging $491 million in private funds, and helping to create close to 10,000 new jobs.

“Concord Health Services, the 2008 ‘Small Business of the Year', is an excellent example of entrepreneurship combined with hard work and sound management,” stated Gooch-Smith.

SEED's Nominating Committee selected Concord Health Services from a pool of 350 candidates. SEED's criteria included enhancement of the region's economy through creation of jobs, community service, and financial performance.

Concord Health Services provides private in-home assistance and medical services throughout the day and night including: daily preparation, errands, bathing and personal care, wound care, medication management, nursing evaluations, therapy, diabetic teaching, and nutrition counseling.

David DiFilippo, the president of Concord Health Services, started the small business in 1997. He is a registered nurse and serves as the director of nursing actively supervising staff. He has been responsible for the company's growth and transition over the last 11years from private home care to a full service agency with 175 employees including: nurses; physical therapists; occupational and speech therapists; homemakers and companions.

In 2007, SEED provided Concord Health Services with a $270,000 loan under the SBA “504” Program in conjunction with financing from Bank of Fall River. The total project of $650,000 included the purchase of a 4,371 square foot office building which provided the company with expansion space.

“We are very pleased to present the “Start-Up Small Business of the Year” award to a highly successful woman-owned company” stated Gooch-Smith. Emerge Public Relations, LLC. was started in 2004 by Mara Stefan after spending 18 years in technology communications.

Emerge Public Relations provides high technology media relations and public relations consulting to clients primarily in technology industries including enterprise software, telecommunications, and interactive media throughout New England. Since being founded, the firm has expanded into consumer technology as well as media and publishing.

In 2005, SEED provided the small business with a $50,000 working capital loan to expand operations. The loan enabled the company to open an office in Quincy and hire new employees. Today, the company has sales over $1 million and a staff of 14.

SEED will also present the “Banker of the Year” award to the lender who has participated in the largest amount of loans with SEED and exemplifies the spirit of small business assistance.

The “Gus Yankopoulos Regional Business Advocate of the Year” will be presented to Ferdinand Kelley for his long time service to the region as executive vice president of Rockland Trust Company and a SEED director.

At the Annual Meeting, SEED members will vote on a slate for officers, directors and members for 2009 for an area which covers all of Massachusetts and most of Rhode Island.

The slate for SEED Officers includes: James McEvoy, Chair (TD Banknorth); Manuel Tavares, Vice-Chair ; Ferdinand Kelley, Vice Chair; William Barnes, Treasurer (Citizens Bank); Bruce Hammatt, Jr, Assistant Treasurer (Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank); Richard Shafer, Clerk (Taunton Industrial Development Commission); William Lewis, Assistant Clerk (Bristol County Savings Bank ); and Jack Meehl, Jr., Past Chair (Sovereign Bank).

SEED is a non-profit corporation certified in late 1982 by the SBA. SEED runs five loan programs and a Small Business Assistance Program. The loan programs provide financing from $5,000 to $4 million.

SEED's members are community leaders who represent government, business, finance, and community organizations. Members meet on an annual basis to elect a board of directors and officers. For more information about the Annual Meeting and SEED's programs call 508-822-1020 or visit www.seedcorp.com

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