Funds will assist rural microentrepreneurs, provide technical assistance
USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer visited Hutchinson Thursday, March 17, to award the Southwest Initiative Foundation a $500,000 loan and a $105,000 grant.
The funds come from Rural Development’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) and will assist rural entrepreneurs. It is the first RMAP awarded in Minnesota.
“These funds will help small, start-up businesses access needed capital,” Landkamer said. “Sometimes a small loan is all an entrepreneur needs to start a business, produce a product, and win the future. The Southwest Initiative Foundation has a strong track record in assisting rural businesses and I am looking forward to watching the positive results develop from this funding.”
Under the RMAP program, funds are provided to an intermediary who re-lends the dollars to rural entrepreneurs and microenterprises. In this case, the Southwest Initiative Foundation will use the $500,000 loan for re-lending purposes and the $105,000 grant to provide technical assistance and training to rural entrepreneurs in the region.
“Our region has a very strong entrepreneurial spirit,” said Southwest Initiative Foundation President/CEO Sherry Ristau. “When combined with the right resources, including technical assistance at various stages of their business ventures, we’ve seen entrepreneurs accomplish great things for our communities, region and economy.”
Contact Southwest Initiative Foundation at 800-594-9480 or [email protected] to inquire about business loan opportunities. To learn more about Rural Development programs in the areas of business, housing and infrastructure, contact the Cambridge area office at (763) 689-3354, ext. 4.
Photo caption: Southwest Initiative Foundation received the first RMAP awarded in the state to support southwest Minnesota microentrepreneurs. Pictured from left are foundation staff Jackie Turner-Lovsness, Greg Jodzio, Berny Berger, Kurt Thompson, USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer, Karen Larson and foundation President/CEO Sherry Ristau.
