Concrete Joe Construction sets up shop in Taunton
Local entrepreneur benefits from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program
TAUNTON, Minn. – Joe DeVlaeminck is building his own business on the foundation of the former Tom Bofferding Construction company, which he purchased last year. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program helped DeVlaeminck complete the purchase and launch Concrete Joe Construction, specializing in residential concrete work, from putting up foundation walls to flat work such as driveways, sidewalks and stamped slabs.
DeVlaeminck has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, including 18 years as a foreman for the firm he purchased. DeVlaeminck’s new company, based in Taunton, has four employees and mainly serves area hardware stores, lumber stores and construction firms that need concrete work completed.
“After graduating from Minnesota West’s Carpentry program, I did a few carpentry jobs but didn’t find much satisfaction in that work. Then I saw that Tom Bofferding Construction was hiring a concrete laborer so I gave it a shot,” DeVlaeminck said. “I found that I really enjoyed doing concrete work, and 18 years later when Tom decided to retire, he asked if I was interested in buying because he knew I had started doing some of my own side jobs and enjoyed doing the work.”
The Small Business Development Center referred DeVlaeminck to SWIF, which provided startup capital for his business through a microloan. 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 are grateful to be able to support entrepreneurs like Joe in pursuing their dreams of owning a business in southwest Minnesota,” 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 by calling (800) 594-9480 or (320) 587-4848, or email loan department.