Enterprise Loan Fund Purpose:
The Enterprise Loan Fund (ELF) is a flexible finance program designed to assist micro-enterprise businesses. Consideration is given to existing, emerging or start-up businesses located in Belknap County, whether they are manufacturing, wholesale, agri-business, tourism, retail or service.
This program was originally funded with a Rural Business Enterprise Grant.

Economic Impact:
Priority will be given to projects that create jobs or enhance the employment opportunities of low and moderate income workers.

Eligible Uses:

• Purchase of land, buildings, machinery, equipment, inventory, or a franchise
• Repairs, modernization, or expansion
• Working capital
• Refinance of business debt if business cash flow and financial strength would be improved
• Feasibility studies
• Reasonable fees and charges

• qualify as a micro-enterprise (a business with no more than 5 employees including the owner).
• own or develop a business based in Belknap County.
• be unable to obtain sufficient funding from banks or other conventional financing sources.

• The loan benefits low-to-moderate income employees
• An acceptable credit history
• The business has sufficient cash flow to repay all obligations
• There is reasonable security or collateral