LEAP for Small Business Community Loan Fund

**NEW** “LEAP for Small Business Community Loan Fund” (FREE) The City of Lumberton is pleased to announce the launch of LEAP – Lumberton Entrepreneurial Assistance Program. Lumberton will be working in conjunction with Thread Capital, a subsidiary of the NC Rural Center to launch a $150,000 small business community loan fund. The goal of the partnership is to encourage small business and entrepreneurial growth in the Lumberton Downtown area. LEAP works with individuals from Lumberton who have sound ideas for starting and expanding a small business. This program provides: • Low interest loans up to $20,000 for small business start-ups and $50,000 for existing businesses • All loans are offered in combination with business planning and technical assistance • Loans will be reviewed by a local committee and serviced by Thread Capital • Loans may be used to purchase equipment, inventory, or as working capital • The loan fund does not compete with banks or other lenders, but rather, it is designed to serve as gap funding or complementary financing for small businesses • The loan fund will prioritize retail, food, and service businesses in the downtown business district. • The fund encourages but is not exclusive to applications from low-income, female and minority borrowers To learn more about this unique loan fund, how to qualify and how to apply, attend this information seminar. Please register for this seminar by following the instructions on page 20. If you do not have Internet access, call 910-272-3631 to register. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. T 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm 01/22/19 WDC Bob Moore

Speaker(s): Bob Moore

Fee: No Cost