Public Sources of Financing – Local Programs

December 19, 2011

Public Sources of Financing – Local Programs Various governmental units at different levels are currently providing some form of assistance to entrepreneurs. This assistance may be in the form of financial services and loan packaging or technical assistance, tax credits, and the like. To learn more about the variety of programs, contact the planning or [...]

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Environmental Financial Assistance Programs – Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan Program

December 18, 2011

Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan Program Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Small Business Ombudsman 520 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 757-2121 (800) 985-4247 This program provides financial assistance to help existing small businesses to help cover the costs of conduct of environmental projects such as capital equipment or the investigation and cleanup of [...]

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Environmental Financial Assistance Programs

December 17, 2011

Environmental Financial Assistance Programs Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Prevention and Assistance Division 520 Lafayette Road, 2nd Floor St. Paul, MN 55155-4100 (651) 757-2121 (800) 985-4247 The Prevention and Assistance division of the MPCA offers environmental assistance grants and loans that could help existing businesses move toward environmentally sustainable projects or practices. Projects must focus [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – Minnesota Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program

December 17, 2011

Minnesota Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program (651) 259-7523 The purpose of the Military Reservist Economic Injury Loan Program is to provide relief, via interest-free loans, for small businesses which suffer substantial economic injury as a result of an essential employee being called to active military service for 180 days or more. Eligible businesses must [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – Urban Initiative Program

December 16, 2011

Urban Initiative Program (651) 259-7424 The Urban Initiative Board has established partnerships with local and neighborhood organizations in the Twin Cities to provide loans to new and expanding businesses in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and suburbs (Anoka, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Crystal, Fridley, Hopkins, Lauderdale, Lexington, New Hope, Osseo, Richfield, St. Anthony, [...]

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Bruce Shattock Fraud Letter: Attorney Scam

December 16, 2011

Our office has been contacted several times by Bruce Shattock, supposedly on Behalf of S&J Boring Inc. Similar scams targeting attorneys have been reported in Alabama. Bruce Shattock: Bruce Shattock bruceshattock200@gmail.com Dear Counsel, On behalf of S & J Boring Inc., we request your legal services and possible representation on a possible litigation matter involving [...]

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Mrs. Tracy Gold Fraud Letter: Attorney Scam

December 16, 2011

Our office recently received a physical scam letter from Mrs. Tracy Gold. The fraudulent letter claims that Mrs. Tracy Gold was directed to contact our office in order to settle a loan owed to Mrs. Hillary Higgins Green. The scam letter came with fraudulent cashiers check in the amount of $145,500. Click here for more [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – Indian Business Loan Program

December 16, 2011

Indian Business Loan Program (651) 259-7424 The purpose of the Indian Business Loan Program (IBLP) is to support the development of Indian owned and operated businesses and to promote economic opportunities for Indian people throughout Minnesota. Applicants must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Minnesota-based band or tribe. Businesses can be located anywhere [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – Small Business Development Loan Program

December 15, 2011

Small Business Development Loan Program (651) 259-7430 The Minnesota Agricultural and Economic Development Board (MAEDB) makes small business loans, the funds for which come from industrial development bonds issued by the Board. Eligible businesses are those manufacturing and industrial businesses located or intending to locate in Minnesota and which meet the small business size standards [...]

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Franchise Disclosure Documents – Item 7: Estimated Initial Investment

December 15, 2011

Item 7: Estimated Initial Investment Item 7 of the amended Rule requires franchisors to set out in a prescribed tabular format a franchisee’s entire estimated initial investment – i.e., all the expenses required by the franchise agreement and all other costs necessary for a franchisee to commence business. These expenses include items that are often paid to third [...]

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Franchise Disclosure Documents – Item 6: Other Fees

December 15, 2011

Item 6: Other Fees Like the UFOC Guidelines, Item 6 of the amended Rule requires the disclosure, in a prescribed tabular format, of recurring or occasional fees associated with operating a franchised outlet. These recurring or occasional fees include such charges as royalties, advertising fees, and transfer fees. Item 6 covers payments made directly to the [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – State Programs – Minnesota Investment Fund

December 14, 2011

Public Sources of Financing – State Programs Under State legislation (Minn. Stat. sections 116J.993 to 116J.995), business receiving a “business subsidy” will be required, among other things, to enter into a “business subsidy agreement” that will include goals for wages and jobs to be offered and paid by that business. If those goals are not [...]

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Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program

December 13, 2011

Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program These are loan guarantees with an upper limit of $10 million. Some high-priority projects may be guaranteed up to $25 million by the administrator in Washington. Most business purposes are eligible, e.g. building and equipment purchase or development, working capital (no lines of credit); aquaculture; commercial nurseries; tourist and [...]

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Franchise Disclosure Documents – Item 5: Initial Fees

December 12, 2011

Item 5: Initial Fees Consistent with the UFOC Guidelines, Item 5 of the amended Rule requires the disclosure of any initial fees and any conditions on their refundability. “Initial fees” means “all fees and payments, or commitments to pay, for services or goods received from the franchisor or any affiliate before the franchisee’s business opens, whether payable in [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

December 12, 2011

Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) Grants help producers expand their customer base by entering into emerging markets for their products or commodities and ensure that a greater portion of the revenues derived from the value-added activity is available to the producer. Independent producers, farmer-owned cooperatives, agricultural producer groups and majority- controlled producer-based groups are eligible to [...]

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Public Sources of Financing – Federal Programs – Renewable Energy for America (REAP)

December 11, 2011

Renewable Energy for America (REAP) Loans, loan guarantees and grants are available to help agricultural producers and rural small business purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Rural is defined as an area of less than 50,000 in population or its immediately adjacent incorporated communities. Renewable energy means energy derived from wind, solar, [...]

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