LOCAL

New small business loan and grant fund from BC Vision offers up to $10k in assistance

Natasha Blakely
Battle Creek Enquirer
(From left) Josh Pompey, Valerie Byrnes, Kara Beer, Sarah Russell, Sara Wallace, Devon Gibson, Renee Underwood, Ted Dearing, Tami Pitale and John Hart attend the check presentation ceremony to celebrate Chemical Bank's investment in the new Small Business - Community Loan and Grant Fund on Sept. 13, 2018.

There's a new small business community loan and grant fund in town, and it's coming from Chemical Bank.

BC Vision's Small Business Action Team has created the Small Business - Community Loan and Grant Fund. The goal of the fund is to provide Battle Creek area small business owners with access to capital when other sources may be unavailable. The fund's first contributor is Chemical Bank.

“Chemical Bank generously funds many non-profit organizations in the communities in which we serve,” Diane Ramirez, Chemical Bank retail sales manager and community president, said in a press release. “We hope through our donation we can help local small businesses develop and thrive. We know that a strong Small Business environment will contribute to local economies by bringing growth and innovation to the community.”

The fund will provide a loan or grant of up to $10,000 for one business owner or project. Criteria that will be considered include business needs critical to launch or growth and owner investment.

"This micro fund was established to fill a gap small businesses face when conventional bank financing is not available and access to other funds is limited,” Sara Wallace, president and CEO of The Miller Foundation and chairperson of the Small Business Funding Committee of the Small Business Action Team, said in the press release. 

A check presentation ceremony was held at BC Cargo on Sept. 13 to celebrate Chemical Bank's investment of $10,000. 

“The (Community Loan and Grant Fund) is a much needed resource that will help our local small businesses to achieve their goals and invest in Battle Creek," Valerie Byrnes, co-chair of the Small Business Action Team, said in the press release. 

To apply or learn more, contact the Small Business Development Fund at smallbusinessinfo@battlecreekmi.gov or call Valerie Byrnes at (269) 966-3355 ext. 1193.

Contact reporter Natasha Blakely at (269) 223-0114 or nblakely@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter at @blakelynat.