| Capital Access lending a hand
When Rhonda Hatfield needed a loan to open a child-care center in southeastern Jefferson County four years ago, she ran into a roadblock that she believes is familiar to many startups: "Banks don't want to work with them until they have proven themselves," she said. "If you don't have someone backing you, you can't move ahead." But Hatfield found a friend in Capital Access Corp.-Kentucky, a not-for-profit organization that helped her secure a $1 million loan package from a bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration through its "504" loan program. .
Financing expert to share business start-up tips
Even the best business plan needs start-up money. That's why York Technical College's Entrepreneur Network will host financing guru Bill Payne at 6 p.m. Tuesday to present "Let's Make a Deal -- Financing Options for Entrepreneurs." Payne, an engineer who started his own electronic materials company in the 1970s and sold it 12 years later to DuPont, now makes his living investing in start-ups and speaking to entrepreneurs. Tuesday, his free presentation will offer advice on how local entrepreneurs can get the capital for their ideas. "There's a whole sequence on where you go to get the money you need," Payne told The Herald on Tuesday. "If you need $5 million, you don't go to friends and family." Payne said he'll explain how to approach family and friends for small investments.
Nigeria: Sokoto Boosts SMEs With N2bn Grant
Sokoto state government has earmarked the sum of N2 billion for onward distribution to small and medium scale entrepreneurs and traders with the view to improving their businesses in the state. State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, made this known at the weekend, while distributing 30,000 motorcycles on loan to civil servants and primary school teachers at the Government House Sokoto. .
SA unveils multiple entry permit for Zim traders
ZIMBABWEAN cross-border traders intending to travel to South Africa for business may now be eligible for a 12-month multiple entry permit as long as they belong to a bona fide association or a body representing small and medium-scale enterprises.
They must also have proof of sufficient financial means equivalent to R2 000, and a passport valid for not less than 30 days after the expiry of the permit.
Each visit should not exceed 30 days for permits valid for entries of more than 12 months.
If all the stipulated requirements are met, the permit may be acquired within five working days.
Before this arrangement, cross-border traders were being treated as ordinary visitors and would find it difficult to conduct their business.
But this multiple entry permit gives them a status better than that of an ordinary visitor.
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