Small businesses continued turning to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial credit in record numbers through the first three quarters of FY 2005, reflecting their confidence in the U.S. economy and the stability of the SBAloan program that backs their loans.

Small businesses secured SBA backing under the agency's flagship 7(a) program for 71,131 loans through the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 21 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 49 percent increase over the same period two years ago.

The loans made so far this year amount to $11.1 billion, 19.5 percent more than in the same period last year, and on a clear pace for a record-setting year for the program.

Following the announcement by Commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig on August 14, 2003 that the Detroit Tigers will host Major League Baseball's 2005 All-Star Week, the club has established an organizational structure to handle preparations for the showcase event. With Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch serving as Honorary Chair, Ilitch Holdings President Denise Ilitch and Tigers Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Jim Stapleton will spearhead the 2005 All-Star Week efforts.

"We are honored that Commissioner Selig has chosen Detroit and our organization to host one of the jewel events in all of professional sports," said Ms. Ilitch. MLB All-Star Game Tickets "Jim and I and our colleagues look forward to working closely with Major League Baseball to ensure fans enjoy a wonderful week of activities in the Motor City."

Joining Ms. Ilitch and Mr. Stapleton as Chairpersons of the 2005 All-Star Week effort are Ilitch Holdings President Christopher Ilitch, Tigers President David Dombrowski and, Tigers Senior Vice President Mike Veeck. Named as Directors for 2005 All-Star Week: Olympia Entertainment Vice President Mike Healy; Tigers Director of Marketing Ellen Hill Zeringue; Tigers Director of Human Resources Lara Juras; the team's Director of Promotions Joel Scott; Carrie Bilan, Executive Assistant to the President of Ilitch Holdings; Patricia McConnell, Executive Assistant to the President of the Detroit Tigers and, Tamara Mitin, Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice Presidents.

Unlike the National Football League's Super Bowl structure, where an external working committee is established by the host franchise and city to handle many of the week's details, the great majority of Major League Baseball's All-Star Week preparations are performed by the host club. However, the Tigers intend to involve metropolitan Detroit's community and business leaders in their effort.

"This week will be for everyone in our area, not just baseball fans," Stapleton said. "We intend to stage a series of events that will leave a lasting impression on our guests from the baseball world and showcase the best our community has to offer. In the upcoming days, we will announce an Honorary Host Committee comprised of business and community leaders. Our collective charge is to involve all segments of our region in this historic event."

The 2005 contest will mark the fourth time the annual showcase of Major League Baseball's brightest stars has been played in The Motor City. The previous three games were played on July 8, 1941, July 10, 1951 and July 13, 1971. The 2005 MLB All-Star game is also the first in Detroit since Mr. Mike Ilitch purchased the Tigers in 1992 and completed construction of Comerica Park in 2000.

"We had a record year for this loan program a year ago, and we're going to set another record in 2005," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "It tells us that the critics are wrong, that small businesses are confident enough to invest in the future of the American economy, and that this program is here to help them do it. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the self-funded footing on which the President has placed the loan program, and the confidence that lenders have in its stability. I am very pleased with this performance so far this year."

The gains are also reflected in the SBA's Certified Development Company, or 504, loan program. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, the 504 program had issued 6,434 loans worth $3.44 billion, more than 6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, when the program had produced 6,058 loans for $2.88 billion.

The budget for the current year makes more than $21 billion available to small businesses through the two loan programs, including $16 billion in small business lending under the 7(a) program and $5 billion under the 504 program.

For information on applying for an SBA loan, visit the SBA's extensive Web site