The Southwest Minnesota Foundation's Micro-Enterprise Loan Program was created to help entrepreneurs develop small businesses and self-employment opportunities through micro-loans and technical assistance. The Foundation offers loans of up to $35,000 to start-up or existing for-profit small businesses who do not have reasonable access to other funds. Minimum loan size may be as low as $500. Foundation staff work with entrepreneurs to develop their business plan and provide on-going assistance and training. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The Micro-Enterprise Program was created with funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
In
2004, 21 SBA Micro-Enterprise loans were awarded, totaling
$191,398.
| Recipient / Type of Business |
City |
County |
Denise
Dubblede, dba The Hot Spot
Expand tanning salon business
|
Pipestone |
Pipestone |
Laura
and Kyle Nurmi, dba Feature FX LLC
Start graphics design business for vehicles
|
Litchfield |
Meeker |
Wendy
and Mark Lange, dba Dry Weather Creek Farm
Start organic flour milling business
|
Milan |
Chippewa |
Tammy
Carver, dba Carver Insulating
Start insulation service business
|
Atwater |
Kandiyohi |
Julie
Henriksen, dba 509 Design
Start up (purchase)
home interior design/ furnishings |
Marshall |
Lyon |
Vik's
Landscaping & Lawn Care, Inc.
Start a snow removal, landscaping & lawn care business
|
Hutchinson |
McLeod |
Joan
Hohenstein, dba Hohenstein Stained Glass Studio
Expand a stained glass art studio business
|
Lake Benton |
Lincoln |
Dirty
Dog Grooming Co.
Start a dog grooming & retail pet supply business
|
Willmar |
Kandiyohi |
Steve
Gardner, dba Steve's Vac Shack
Start a vacuum sales and service business
|
Willmar |
Kandiyohi |
Equine
Plus LLC
Expand a candy manufacturing business
|
Litchfield |
Meeker |
Victor
Perez-Cazalez, dba San Pablo Bakery
Start up Mexican Bakery
|
Willmar |
Kandiyohi |
Victor
Perez-Cazalez, dba San Pablo Bakery
Start up Mexican Bakery - 2nd Step Loan
|
Willmar |
Kandiyohi |
Gregory
& Christi Fitzloff, dba Fitzloff Photography
Start up portrait photography studio
|
Lakefield |
Jackson |
Mohamed
Bihi, dba Bihi's Shop of African Foods
Purchase equipment and working capital to open an African/Somalian
grocery store in Willmar
|
Willmar |
Kandiyohi |
Julie
Dykema, dba Picket Fence on Main
Start up gift and craft shop
|
Worthington |
Nobles |
Digital
Product Innovations, Inc.
Expand Manufacture & Marketing of Art Blind System
|
Plato |
McLeod |
James
Heily, Sr., dba Jim's Painting & Remodeling
Start up painting & remodeling/carpentry business
|
Montevideo |
Chippewa |
Dr.
Timothy Hunt DVM PA
Start up veterinary clinic
|
Ivanhoe |
Lincoln |
Rodolfo
Gorra-Ojeda, dba R.G. Music
Start up music store/lesson studio
|
Worthington |
Nobles |
Carlotta
& John Eischens, dba The Master's Coffee Shop
Purchase coffee shop
|
Olivia |
Renville |
Todd
Finlo, dba Prairielight Photography
Expand photography studio
|
Tyler |
Lincoln |
| |
|
|
