Small Business Resource Guide

Financial Resources

In addition to traditional business loans available at most local banking institutions these programs may offer attractive financing options to assist new and growing businesses.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

7(a) Loan - The 7(a) is a loan guaranty program in which the SBA partially guarantees a traditional business loan from a bank. Contact your local bank for more information.

504 Loan – The 504 loan program is offered by Small Business Certified Development Companies in partnership with local banks to provide fixed rate financing on major fixed assets (i.e. land and buildings). Contact Mickey Johnson at 926-8085 for more information.

Micro Loan – Small loans (max of $35,000) available to new and growing small businesses. Contact Mickey Johnson at 926-8085 for more information.

GREEN RIVER AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (GRADD)

www.gradd.com – GRADD offers fixed rate business loans (up to $100,000) with a maximum participation of 50% of the total project cost for eligible companies. Contact Adam Lister at 926-4433 for more information.

KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY (KEDFA)

http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/SmallBusinessLoanProgram.pdf
KEDFA has a small business loan program to provide capital for land, buildings, equipment, working capital, etc in amounts ranging from $15,000 to $100,000. The loan funds are not eligible to retail or personal/professional services and cannot be used for refinancing existing debt. Companies with fewer than 50 employees are eligible and recipients must create one job within one year of receiving funds. Contact Don Goodin at (502) 564-4554 ext. 3413 for more information.

VENTURE CAPITAL

The Greater Owensboro Venture Club is an excellent opportunity to present your ideas to local investors. The Club is designed as a place to link entrepreneurs and local investors. More information can be found at www.owensboroventureclub.com.
Additionally, a listing of private venture capital funds operating in Kentucky can be obtained by downloading the .pdf document found at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/dci/pdfs/Private%20Venture%20Capital%20Sources.pdf

Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is a 900+ member business association that works to create a positive business climate in the community. The Chamber accomplishes this in several ways:
To learn more contact the Chamber at 270.926.1860 and/or visit online at www.owensboro.com.

STATE OF KENTUCKY

www.thinkkentucky.com – Business resources provided by the State of Kentucky Economic Development Office. (Navigate to Business Assistance then Small Business Support). A checklist and resource guide for starting a business in Kentucky can be found at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/bicguide.pdf

KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

www.ksbdc.org - The Kentucky Small Business Development Center network is a premier provider of business services that empower entrepreneurs with practical information, skills, and strategies that make measurable, positive impacts on their businesses and, by extension, on the communities where they work. The local contact is Mickey Johnson at the Murray State Small Business Development Center. He can be contacted at 926-8085.

KENTUCKY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

http://www.kstc.com/ - KSTC is an entrepreneurial company dedicated to enhancing the capacity of people, companies and organizations to develop and apply science and technology and compete responsibly in the global marketplace.

INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION CENTERS (ICC’S) & INNOVATION CENTERS (IC’S)

http://www.startupkentucky.com – ICC’s and IC’s are comprehensive business accelerators focused on helping Kentucky entrepreneurs build successful technology-based businesses.

KENTUCKY COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

http://cpe.ky.gov/policies/economic/ - This site lists a variety of resources that have been developed out of collaboration between higher education and private business

ENTREPRENEUR.COM

http://www.entrepreneur.com/ - This website is a general resource to assist the budding and experienced entrepreneur.

ENERGIZING ENTREPRENEURS.ORG

http://www.energizingentrepreneurs.org/ - This website is a valuable resource for rural entrepreneurs.

AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

www.amanet.org - AMA is a global not-for-profit, membership-based association that provides a full range of management development and educational services to individuals, companies and government agencies worldwide, including 486 of the Fortune 500 companies.

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

http://www.mbda.gov - The Agency's mission is to actively promote the growth and competitiveness of large, medium and small minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA actively coordinates and leverages public and private-sector resources that facilitate strategic alliances in support of its mission.