Opportunities

Welcome to the NC STEP list of economic opportunities for Marshall. Entrepreneurs, small businesses, farms, teachers, and government folks, you might find something of interest here.

• USDA has awarded LOSRC $60,000 for a revolving business loan fund targeted to the downtown business district of Marshall.   The presentation was made August 22 , by Senator Burr and staff from the USDA and LOSRC.  Kate O'Hara from LOSRC made this happen and will be the contact person.  Rates 1% below prime, a job must be created for every $10,000 borrowed, and some collateral necessary.
  Kate O'Hara
  Regional Planner
  828-251-6622
  kate@landofsky.org
  
• A new source of capital for businesses that promote the environmentally responsible use of natural resources is now available to entrepreneurs in North Carolina, Virginia and northeast Tennessee.  The Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) invests $35,000 to $250,000 in the form of subordinated debt or equity in businesses in the following sectors:  sustainable/value added agriculture; sustainable forestry & value-added forest products; renewable energy & energy efficiency; heritage & eco-tourism; and recycling.  The Fund seeks to create/retain livable wage employment through its investments, particularly in rural communities. For more information about NCIF and a loan application see www.ncifund.org.  NCIF will operate out of The Conservation Fund offices in Chapel Hill, NC and is also in the process of hiring a loan/investment officer to be based in Western North Carolina; a job description for this position can be found at www.ncifund.org. NCIF has operated since 2001 in West Virginia, where it has provided loans and investments to 18 companies that produce goods and services ranging from salsa to homeopathic medicines, and from white water rafting to sophisticated software for conducting timber inventories.  NCIF's technical assistance to companies and its “patient capital” often make it possible for traditional secured lenders to participate in financing companies that would otherwise be “unbankable.”  NCIF is a subsidiary of The Conservation Fund ( www.conservationfund.org ), a national land and water conservation organization with a unique dual mission of environmental protection and economic development.  Companies headquartered in NC or TN that seek financing should contact Rick Larson at (919) 967-2223, ext 113 or rlarson@conservationfund.org .  Companies headquartered in VA or WV should contact Joe Brouse at (304) 228-3121 or jbrouse@conservationfund.org.
  
• Current initiatives and resources of the The Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship
  • Rural Entrepreneurship Development System
    • Education
    • Technical assistance
    • Financial capital
    • Business networks
    • Leadership and policy development
  • New Opportunities for Workers (NOW)
    • A needs assessment for each interested person to determine the type and level of training suited to the individual.
    • Scholarships to attend training in small business development through a participating community college or N.C. REAL program.
    • Follow-up counseling through a Small Business Center or referral to a technical assistance provider.
    • For those who qualify and complete viable business plans, start-up loans and ongoing technical support through the Rural Center's Microenterprise Loan Program .
  • Entrepreneurial Incubators
  • North Carolina Business Resource Alliance
    An organization of business resource providers, the alliance advises the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship and works to develop a comprehensive network of business services.
    
• RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS: Getting to Success With Your Consulting Engineer Participants will hear a variety of perspectives on working with paid consultants to get the services your community needs. Presentations will include effective development and use of requests for proposals, contract negotiation, capital improvement planning and ongoing project evaluation. Funders will also provide an update on available programs. For more information and to register: http://www.ncrcap.org/workshops-2007.html Grant writing program (sent from Vickey Wade at Western Carolina University): Click here: http://www.wcu.edu/4815.asp for more about this well-designed program, which filled to capacity when it was offered in the spring of 2007. Please note that the deadline for reduced registration is this Friday.

You are welcome to attend NC STEP meetings at 8:00am on the third Tuesday of the month at the Marshall Town Hall .