SwampFox

More than $363K now available from GCRA to assist Greenville County small businesses

Submitted by: Whitney Howell on Oct 09, 2009 at 6:51 pm Tagged with: Economic Development, Greenville County, small business loans Source: Greenville County Redevelopment Authority

Greenville, S.C. (October 9, 2009) – The Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) has received funding for its new Economic Development and Revolving Loan Fund (ED & RLF) program, which will provide a total of $363,950 to small existing and emerging businesses located in certain areas of Greenville County. Made available under the federal stimulus program, the GCRA plans for this fund to spur economic development and promote opportunities for employment in Greenville County.
“GCRA is excited to make these financial assistance available. This program will invigorate the entrepreneurial spirit of Greenville County, assist qualified applicants in pursuing their business goals and foster new jobs,” said Martin Livingston, GCRA executive director. “We look forward to meeting interested individuals at our upcoming program workshop and getting them started toward much success.”
The Thursday, October 22 program workshop is open to the public and will be held from
6-7 p.m. at GCRA offices in Suite 250 of Greenville County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville.
The ED & RLF is currently available to start-up or existing businesses located in the central business districts of the Cities of Greer, Travelers Rest, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn, as well as the commercial corridors of the County’s unincorporated areas in proximity to GCRA’s Redevelopment/Former Communities, outside of Greenville City limits. Each qualified business may receive up to $25K through the program, and the GCRA estimates it will assist up to15 businesses through the program this year.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and two main criteria will be considered in determining top priority for allocating funds:
1. Applications with the greatest anticipated economic impact for the community, assisting those impacted by recession (Economic impact will be determined by the number of jobs created or saved, wage scale of employees and benefits paid to employees), and
2. Applications that will benefit low and moderate income persons.
About GCRA
GCRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for low and moderate income citizens of Greenville County by administering Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds and developing community partnerships. GCRA takes a comprehensive approach to community revitalization by building new homes, rehabilitating existing homes, and strengthening the infrastructures of the communities, as well as providing credit and homeownership education programs. GCRA works throughout Greenville County, including Fountain Inn, Greer, Travelers Rest, Mauldin, and Simpsonville.
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