Vermont Business MagazineCommunity Capital of Vermont (CCVT), based in Barre, New England’s highest volume SBA micro-lender, has completed second quarter loans to companies providing transportation, sustainable architecture, and home cleaning services; to entrepreneurs offering beauty supplies, making kimchi and hot sauce, and providing design solutions for nursing moms on the go. These companies are based all over Vermont, from Burlington to Plainfield, Hardwick to Charlotte, and beyond.
“CCVT helps small businesses and lower income entrepreneurs prosper through flexible business financing and our newest addition of business advisory support services,” noted Martin Hahn, Community Capital of Vermont Executive Director. “Our borrowers, as well as our organization, reflect the character of Vermont: authentic, service-oriented, innovative, and invested in community.”
Loans given in April through June range from $2,000 to $50,000 per business, and businesses are spread among Caledonia, Chittenden, and Washington counties. Among the 2015 first quarter loans are:
- Champlain Yacht Services, Charlotte, for a new mobile marine service offering marine engine, electrical, and systems maintenance during the increasingly popular Lake Champlain boating season.
- Carroll’s Automotive, Lyndonville, to add a hauling trailer service business, Kingdom Trailers, to an established automotive repair shop.
- Ebony Beauty Supply and Hair Boutique, Winooski, a new business providing hair and skin care products for women of color, and women seeking natural beauty products.
- Mamava Inc., Burlington, to design, develop, and market private nursing “pods” providing a clean, comfortable, and secure space for mothers on the go.
- Vermont Probiotica, West Berlin, for working capital to grow production of kimchi and fermented food products utilizing locally grown carrots, cabbage, and daikon from the Mad River Valley.
- Apron Strings, a new business offering home cleaning, pet and house sitting, personal chef, and doula services.
- Montpelier Auto Clinic, Montpelier, for equipment and working capital to create a full service auto service garage in a formerly vacant auto shop space.
- G & N Excavation, Moretown, a woman-owned construction business, for rental of heavy equipment in order to create roads, trails, parking lots, storm water improvements, slope stabilization and culvert installations.
- Lefty’s Kitchen Show, Hardwick, to grow a line of hot sauce including a new maple-habanero flavor with Vermont maple syrup, “a quick scorpion-like sting,” and “finishing off with a deep sugar burn.”
- Hair R Us, South Burlington, a startup business targeting the needs of African American women, including weaves, wigs, extensions, and hair care products.
- Hinge, Burlington, to reorganize the ownership structure of the sustainable architecture business and co-working space.
- G.T. Hayward Trucking, a freight hauling and trucking company.
Source: Community Capital of Vermont 7.13.2015.Community Capital is a nonprofit community-based lending organization. Loans range from $1,000 - $100,000. For more information on Community Capital of Vermont or to apply for a loan, please see www.communitycapitalvt.org.