PRESS RELEASE
New Beaver Creek Boarding dog kennel open in Olivia
Local entrepreneurs benefit from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program
OLIVIA, Minn. – Beaver Creek Boarding hosted a ribbon cutting in October to celebrate one year of operating the new kennel, located just south of Olivia and owned by Katy Holland and Joshua Honzay. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program and DEED’s Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program helped the entrepreneurs launch their business.
Beaver Creek Boarding offers dog boarding, dog day care and dog bathing services. Holland, who runs the day-to-day operations at the kennel, is a lifelong resident of Renville County and the Olivia area. She raises animals and has previous experience caring for dogs.
“I’m so grateful to all my customers who have trusted me to care for their dogs. What an absolute honor it is. I appreciate their support and most of all their trust in caring for these pups. This has been a long time coming and a dream come true,” Holland said.
The enterprise boasts a new building with heated floors, an indoor play area, outdoor fenced play area, dog bath and 20 indoor kennels. Holland and Honzay applied for loan funds from the foundation to purchase equipment and to use for working capital.
Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities.
Microloan clients also receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, QuickBooks training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
“We’re happy to help Katy and Joshua pursue business ownership and create new opportunities for themselves,” said Jackie Turner, SWIF Economic Development Officer.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at (800) 594-9480, (320) 587-4848 or send us an email.
The Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program (ELP) supports the growth of businesses owned and operated by entrepreneurs who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC); low-income persons; women; veterans; and/or persons with disabilities. DEED provides grant funds to a network of nonprofit lenders that use these funds for loans to start-up and expanding businesses throughout the state.
