Expanding business opportunities
Small Business Credit Initiative
The N.C. Small Business Credit Initiative is helping make capital available for business startups and expansions across the state. With more business investment comes more jobs for North Carolinians.
The initiative works primarily through traditional lenders such as banks and credit unions. By reducing the risks involved, it allows lenders to approve some business loans they otherwise could not. The initiative also invests in venture capital and angel funds, which in turn make equity investments in North Carolina businesses.
The initiative is made possible by $46.1 million in federal funding under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Gov. Beverly Perdue designated the Rural Center to administer the program in all 100 counties.
With three component programs, the initiative is expected to enable more than $600 million in business loans and equity investments by 2016.
The three components:
The N.C. Capital Access Program provides matching reserve funds for business loans that are just outside a lender's usual standards. The average NC-CAP loan is $100,000. When a loan is approved and enrolled in NC-CAP, the borrower pays a fee, which is matched with money from the program. The funds together are deposited into a reserve account held by the lender, to offset losses in case of default. Potential borrowers may apply through their local lenders.
NC-CAP information for lenders
Participating lenders by county
Business owner's guide to NC-CAP
The N.C. Loan Participation Program reduces a lender's risk by purchasing up to 20 percent of a loan. The program typically assists loans of $250,000 to $5 million. Special consideration may be given for loans to businesses in underserved communities and to businesses owned by women and minorities. Potential borrowers apply through their local lenders.
Loan Participation Program information for lenders
Participating lenders by county
Business owner's guide to the Loan Participation Program
The N.C. Fund of Funds Program has invested $10 million in four venture capital and angel funds, which in turn invest in North Carolina businesses as early as the conceptual stage: Hatteras Ventures, IDEA Fund, IMAF and Salem Investment. The individual funds are responsible for finding and assessing potential investments in North Carolina businesses.
Contacts
Western North Carolina
Tony Johnson, Senior Director, Business Development
Eastern North Carolina
Brooks Batchelor, Associate Director, Small Business Credit Initiative
Central North Carolina
Tom Wall, Associate Director, Small Business Credit Initiative
N.C. Rural Economic Development Center
4021 Carya Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
Telephone: 919-250-4314
Fax: 919-250-4325