Another New Small Business Community Loan and Grant Fund Established in Battle Creek

The BC Vision’s Small Business Action Team (SBAT) is pleased to announce Chemical Bank as the first contributor to the Small Business - Community Loan and Grant Fund (CLGF). The Small Business CLGF is intended to provide access to capital for Battle Creek area entrepreneurs and small business owners when access to other capital sources may be unavailable.

Support to business owners through CLGF may be provided in the form of a loan and/or grant up to $10,000 maximum funding for any one business owner or project. Critical business needs that help an entrepreneur to launch and/or achieve growth objectives will be considered. Owner investment in the project is taken into consideration. "This micro fund was established to fill a gap small businesses face when conventional bank financing is not available and access to other funds is limited,” informs Sara Wallace, President & CEO of The Miller Foundation and Chairperson of the Small Business Funding Committee of the SBAT.

“Chemical Bank generously funds many non-profit organizations in the communities in which we serve,” shares Diane Ramirez, Chemical Bank Retail Sales Manager and Community President. “We hope through our donation we can help local small businesses develop and thrive. We know that a strong Small Business environment will contribute to local economies by bringing growth and innovation to the community.”

“The CLGF is a much needed resource that will help our local small businesses to achieve their goals and invest in Battle Creek," notes Valerie Byrnes, Small Business Development Fund Business Retention and Development Manager and Co-Chair of the SBAT. "Chemical Bank’s generosity and willingness to seed this fund is a positive affirmation recognizing that access to early-stage and higher-risk capital is important in the continuum of small business development.”

To celebrate Chemical Bank's investment, a check presentation ceremony was held at BC Cargo (35 W Hamblin) on Thursday, September 13 at 11:45 a.m.

To learn more about the CLGF application process, please contact the Small Business Development Fund at smallbusinessinfo@battlecreekmi.gov or call Valerie Byrnes at 269.966.3355 x. 1193.