Machine quilting business benefits from SWIF Microenterprise Loan Program 
MARCH 1, 2010— Quilted4You, owned by Nyla Fifield, recently received loan assistance from the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program to open a long-arm quilting machine business in downtown New London. Her shop will be located at 28 Main Street South, three doors from the Flying Goose Quilt Shop, a popular store with area quilters.
Fifield has been quilting for nearly 30 years and served as president and program director for a long-standing area quilting group, Country Quilters. She knows the area quilt shops and quilters’ needs.
The computerized machine Fifield purchased with loan proceeds has the latest technology, with the ability to download quilting patterns and customize those patterns for clients.
Quilted4You will begin accepting orders Tuesday, March 16. Watch for a grand opening celebration on National Quilting Day, which is Saturday, March 20. Fifield can be reached at 320-894-3219 to discuss quilting projects.
“Nyla is taking her life-long love of quilting and turning a pastime activity into a business,” said Microenterprise Program Officer Kurt Thompson. “She has done a good job of planning and we are excited to assist her with this project.”
SWIF’s Microenterprise Loan Program offers loans of up to $35,000 for starting or expanding for-profit small businesses located within the 18 counties of southwest Minnesota that have a need for additional sources of funds. In addition, technical assistance is available from SWIF as needed for the length of the loan. The program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation is a regional community foundation dedicated to advancing southwest Minnesota through leadership, relationship building, program development and philanthropy. The Foundation has contributed more than $50 million through its grant and loan programs in southwest Minnesota. It has also helped more than 480 businesses start or expand through its business finance programs, which have created or retained more than 7,600 jobs. To learn more, visit www.swifoundation.org.
