BENSON, Minn. — After five years running a screen printing and embroidery business from home, Joel and Beverly Bailey moved Legacy Printwear to downtown Benson earlier this year. Working with the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program and the Benson Economic Development Authority, Baileys secured a storefront to rent and renovated the space. They plan to expand their promotional products, signs and banners in the new space. Legacy Printwear will continue to offer popular school spirit items and other logo wear too.
“The print-wear business has become highly competitive in the past years, but we have strong support from organizations, small businesses, corporations and individuals in the community,” Joel said. “We’re excited about this new chapter.”
Joel will manage Legacy Printwear, do the screen printing and embroidering and be the graphic designer. Beverly will greet customers and do the bookkeeping and social media.
SWIF is providing technical assistance in addition to the loan funds Joel and Beverly secured.
“It’s rewarding to help an existing business build on its success and expand in the community,” said SWIF Economic Development Officer Jackie Turner. “We’re proud to offer Joel and Beverly some of the tools they need to grow their small business.”
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 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.
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 [email protected].
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $78 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs. Learn more at swifoundation.org.
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