Who Is Eligible? The NC Rural Center has funding to work with individuals who have sound ideas for starting or expanding a small business but may not qualify for bank credit. Farms, food businesses and others in rural NC are encouraged to apply.
Our basic requirements are:
- You wish to start or expand a small business.
- Your business is located in one of the 85 rural counties of North Carolina.
- Your business has fewer than 10 full-time employees.
- You have a credit score of at least 575 with no outstanding judgments or liens.
- You’re at least 18 years old.
- You’re a U.S. citizen/permanent resident and resident of North Carolina.
- Your total project cost does not exceed $50,000.
- And, of course, you have to have a sound business idea.
How much: $500- $25,000
The program has three components:
- Standard loans, which are available in amounts up to $25,000.
- Express loans, which are capped at $5,000. Loan decisions can be made within five business days.
- All loans are offered in combination with business planning and technical assistance. We give special emphasis to serving rural, low-income, female and minority borrowers.
Website: http://www.ncruralcenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82&Itemid=217
Contact: Barry Ryan, Director of Entrepreneurship, at 919-250-4314.
The Rural Center is conducting workshops across the state about Microenterprise Loans from now to June across the state.
Here’s the schedule:
Feb. 2 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Johnston Community College, Clayton
Feb. 2 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro
Feb. 3 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Surry Community College, Dobson
Feb. 9 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Carteret Community College, Morehead City
Feb. 10 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Vance/Granville Community College South Campus, Creedmoor
Feb. 11 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Stanly Community College, Albemarle
Feb. 17 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Craven Community College, New Bern
March 5 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Brunswick Community College, Leland
March 9 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Halifax Community College, Weldon
March 31 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Carolina Community College, Sanford
April 7 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Wayne Community College, Goldsboro
April 16 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Southeastern Community College, Whiteville
April 20 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Brunswick Community College, Bolivia
April 22 Business Resource Alliance 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wake Technical Community College, Cary
April 23 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Vance/Granville Community College, Louisburg
April 29 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Wilkes Community College, West Jefferson
April 30 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Surry Community College, Yadkinville
May 4 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Tri-County Community College, Marble
May 5 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 10 a.m. to noonRichmond Community College, Laurinburg
May 5 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Southwestern Community College, Sylva
May 6 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 10 a.m. to noonAsheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Marshall
May 7 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Brunswick Community College, Carolina Shores
May 7 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 10 a.m. to noonAsheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville
May 12 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Stanly Community College, Albemarle
May 14 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Halifax Community College, Weldon
May 19 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.James Sprunt Community College, Kenansville
June 2 Microenterprise Loan Program Seminar 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sampson Community College, Clinton