Category Archives: Stories

A recently announced agreement is expected to help returning citizens break a cycle of struggle that’s historically been reinforced by a criminal justice system advocates say is set up to make them fail, said Kyle J. Benson-Smith.

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HR 1502, the Microloan Improvement Act of 2021, sponsored by Rep. Kim, was passed by the House last April 15.

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Inna Kinney, founder and CEO of the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), which was named the largest Small Business Administration microlender in the country. Columbus now has two of the top-performing Small Business Administration lenders in the country.

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It’s Small Business Week and microlending through the Small Business Administration has been a major lifeline to many American small businesses navigating COVID over the last year. Through May 2, 2021, the Microlending community has made 156k PPP loans for $2.76 billion (averaging $16k each). Join us as we highlight some of the Friends of SBA Microlenders who have been…

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Since 2000, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) has helped over 900 small businesses start and grow in Georgia, made more than $60 million in loans and helped create/retain nearly 8,000 jobs. ACE, a longtime member of the Friends, is focused on assisting small-business owners of color, women, low-income entrepreneurs and others who lack equitable access to small-business financing across…

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National Small Business Week kicked off yesterday with an awards event hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The ceremony featured the Jody C. Raskind Award for the 2019 Microlender of Year. This year’s award went to the Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF), a longtime member of the Friends of the SBA Microloan Program. CEF was one of the first…

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Written by Ayrianne Parks and Sam Rapoza The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, (WWBIC) is a long time member of the Friends of the SBA Microloan Program, based in Wisconsin. WWBIC helps individuals who face barriers that keep them from getting the funding needed to start or keep their business running. On Sunday, Wendy K. Baumann, WWBIC President and CVO,…

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Written by Sam Rapoza The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) is a long time member of the Friends of the SBA Microloan Program. MACED is local to Kentucky, and partners with people local to the state who like Ms. Suramek, are keen on building upon the strengths of Kentucky and Central Appalachia through sustainable development. A recent example…

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Written by Sam Rapoza This week is National Small Business Week. Since 1963, presidents have declared a week recognizing contributions of our country’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our members, the Friends of the SBA Microloan Program, play an important role in supporting entrepreneurs the Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program. This is the largest federal program exclusively targeted to supporting…

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Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF), a member of the Friends of the SBA Microloan Program, is turning 40! The organization, which is a private non-profit lending institution offering loans to small businesses in Colorado, provides technical assistance and capital to help promote business development and growth. In fact, CEF has loaned over $49 million to more than 1,700 businesses since 1976, helping…

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Accion recently received a recommendation from Business News Daily, which highlights the Friends member as the best alternative lender for startup loans. Accion was chosen from dozens of alternative lenders. Read the story…

The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), a Friends of the SBA Microloan Program member, partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee to sponsor to the “Make Your Money Talk” financial education class.  Make Your Money Talk is a personal money management program that provides individuals with the opportunity to improve their personal money management skills, address…

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