New Funding Sources for Minority-Owned Firms
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"New Funding Sources for Minority-Owned Firms"
The vast majority of small-business owners (regardless of race) said poor credit history was to blame.
Some government programs exist on a federal, state and local level to lend money to minority-owned firms. A growing number of nonprofit "community-development corporations" also provide funding through a revolving loan pool.
Another layer of support is emerging from the private sector: community-development agencies. These for-profit corporations attract equity from banks that they, in turn, loan to promising entrepreneurs.
Rhode Island's Minority Investment Development Corp. is a typical example. The 6-year-old firm's average loan is $65,000, and the Providence-based corporation has not rejected any applicant for lack of funds.
Writer: Morey Stettner
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