Looking for a loan in Bergen Country?
The U.S. Small Business Administration is looking for you.
The SBA is teaming up with the Small Business Development Center at Ramapo College to present Meet the Borrowers, a program designed to bring SBA lenders together with potential Bergen County small business borrowers in search of capital and who are interested in discussing the availability of SBA-backed loans for their businesses or new ventures.
The event will take place from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Johnson Public Library in Hackensack.
“We are looking to meet with local small business owners and entrepreneurs from Bergen County and surrounding areas who are either looking for capital to expand or start their small businesses,” SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone said.
“Through August of this year, the SBA has approved 311 loans for $90 million to Bergen County small business owners. We certainly would like to keep that momentum going into fiscal year 2019, and always feel that there is capacity to do more in New Jersey.”
Titone said SBA loans this year have helped to create 951 jobs and retain a little over 1,000 jobs in the county.
He said the SBA wants to do more — it just needs more opportunities to meet with those in need. That’s the purpose of the event, he said.
“Community outreach is extremely important to us, and the Meet the Borrowers program has been an effective way for the SBA to match local small business owners with SBA lenders,” he said. “It is just the perfect opportunity and setting for local small business owners to discuss financing options with active SBA lenders.”
In addition to meeting individually with SBA lenders, participants will learn firsthand what lenders look for in a winning loan proposal, as well as learning all about the variety of SBA lending programs available to them.
Business owners and entrepreneurs will also have access to business counselors from the Ramapo College Small Business Development Center, who can assist with and review a small firm’s business plan.
All participants should be prepared to bring multiple copies of their Business Plan Executive Summary with them to the event.
While there is no fee to attend the Meet the Borrowers program, registration is required.
Small business owners interested in attending may register online or by calling Vince Vicari, regional director of the Ramapo College Small Business Development Center, at 201-684-7135.
