WHAT'S NEW
HEDCO Awarded $75,000 grant from Bank of America to tap New Low Cost
Funds for Small Business Micro- Lending
Approximately 20 local businesses expected to benefit from new access to federal funds
Hartford, CT January 25, 2011. In an effort to fmd new ways to help struggling small and start-up businesses in the region, HEDCO worked with Bank of America to tap unused federal funds. HEDCO recently received a $ 75, 000 grants from Bank of America for use as loan loss reserves required by federal microloan programs to access $500,000 in loan capital that is then used to make small-sized loans to local businesses. As many as 20 local companies are expected to receive much needed microloans from this new effort, a 33% increase in the amount of micro loans that HEDCO makes annually to local businesses. HEDCO also estimates the new federal funds will help retain or create 75 of jobs in the area, by supporting local business growth. "HEDCO is pleased to receive this support from Bank of America," according to Sam Hamilton, Executive Director and CEO ofHEDCO. "It was their grant that provided the critical piece that allowed HEDCO to be certified by SBA as a Micro Lender". "Helping strengthen small businesses and new start-up companies stimulates job creation and is critical to our nation's economic recovery. That is why it is critical to pursue every resource possible that helps small businesses grow. Bank of America is empowering these entrepreneurs by directing private sector capital to unlock exponentially greater amounts of federal dollars for their businesses. Even the smallest grant enables a nonprofit lender to leverage approximately ten times that amount to lend to small businesses, which creates ripple effect impacting job growth, spending and overall economic expansion," said Kevin Cunningham, President, Bank of America - Connecticut
As the nation's largest CDFI lender with more than $1 billion invested with 120 CDFls in 37 states, Bank of America recognized the need to immediately supply grants to nonprofits lenders foe use as loan loss reserve to access U.S. small Business Administration (SBA) microloan capital before the federal funding expired at the end of the annual budget cycle. Federal small business microloan funds have gone unused in past in the past due to CDFIS not having the loan loss reserves required, approximately Ten percent of the amount borrowed depending on the program, to obtain the capital. Bank of America's loan loss reserve grants may unlock as much as $100 million in lowcost, long-term capital for small business micro loans nationwide over the next 12 months. HEDCO, Inc is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt non profit CDFI, SBA Microlender providing problem solving, technical and financial assistance to microenterprises and small businesses. The organization began operation in 1975 and continues to serve all 169 cities and towns in Connecticut.
WHAT’S NEW
HEDCo Receives Additional Funding
HEDCo received access to 2 additional sources of funds on August 25th and August 26th to assist Micro enterprises and small businesses. Both will provide financial assistance to these entities that find it to get financing elsewhere. On Thursday August 25th, 2011 HEDCo was certified as a Connecticut intermediary lender under the Small Business Administration's Micro Loan Program. The SBA certification qualified HEDCo to receive a $500,000 SBA Loan that the agency will repackage into smaller term financing to qualified Hartford based businesses. At the Friday August 26th, 2011 meeting, the state Bond Commission approved $1 million to grow businesses and jobs in the North End of Hartford through a North Hartford Community Revolving Loan Program.HEDCo will manage the loan program to promote and stimulate economic growth by providing financing for North Hartford businesses which have difficulty accessing traditional financing sources."We are really excited to gain these new funds to help create opportunities for small businesses to grow and create jobs for the community," said Sam Hamilton, Executive Director of HEDCo. "The Funds certainly come at an opportune time, and have been long awaited."HEDCo, Inc is a 501(c) (3) Not for profit, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing loans, technical assistance and capacity to micro enterprises and small businesses throughout the state of Connecticut.
WHAT'S NEW
HEDCo Recognized by Citizens Bank
HEDCo has been recognized by Citizens Bank as a part of its Champion in Action program. The recognition of HEDCo for its outstanding commitment to economic development was presented to the organization’s Executive Director, Samuel C. Hamilton, by its CT/RI President, Ned Handy, on January 20, 2011.
The reward for a job well done provides the following support for HEDCo:
• A contribution of $25,000 in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation.
• Media coverage from News8, including public service announcements.
• Volunteer Support from Citizens Bank and News8.
• Public relations support.
WHAT’S NEW
MINORITY BOND
GUARANTY PROGRAM
HEDCo has announced the extension and expansion of the
Minority Bonding Guaranty program it administers for the State of Connecticut. This program formerly provided access to
bonding for minority construction firms performing capital projects in Hartford. The program has
now been expanded to cover New Haven, New London and Bridgeport. In a collaborative effort with the Travelers,
20million dollars in bonding has been approved for minority firms for projects
in the City of Hartford. HEDCo’s Business Resource
Center manages the
program. Kim Hawkins, Director says “we
are pleased about this expansion of opportunity to be realized based upon the
recent action by the State.”
Further information regarding the Minority Bond Guaranty
Program can be obtained by contacting Kim Hawkins, Director, Business Resource
Center at 860-527-1100 or
by email at khawkins@brcct.com.
WHAT’S NEW!
Connecticut Small Business Lending Partner
Designation
HEDCo has been approved to be a Lending Partner in the new
Connecticut Small Business Lending Initiative offered by the Department of
Economic and Community Development. This
program is one segment of Governor Rell’s commitment to assist small businesses
in the state. Access to capital for micro and small businesses will be enhanced
by a network of organizations across the state to assist this important segment
of Connecticut’s
economy.
Executive Director, Sam Hamilton, expressed his pleasure
that HEDCo has been selected to be a part of this program. “Governor Rell and Commissioner McDonald of
DECD continue to seek new ways to support small businesses in Connecticut”,
said Hamilton
during a recent discussion about the program and its potential impact.
Contact HEDCo for more information on this program at 860-527-1301 or info@hedco-ct.com
WHAT’S NEW!
Executive Director
appointed to Statewide Panel on Small Business.
A newly formed statewide committee on small business has
been formed pursuant to Public Act 10-145 and signed into law by Governor M.
Jodie Rell on June 7, 2010.
HEDCo’s Executive Director, Sam Hamilton has been named to
the newly formed Connecticut Small Business Advisory Board. Established
pursuant to Public Act 10-145 the Board will be charged with promoting
available resources to small businesses throughout Connecticut.
There resources shall include, but not be limited to, financial
assistance, technical assistance and job creation initiatives.