The U.S. Small Business Administration’s America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) Loan Program, established through the federal
government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, can provide up to $35,000 in short term relief for viable,
existing small businesses facing immediate financial hardship.
To speak with an ARC representative, please call the U.S. Small Business Administration’s toll free number at 866-947-8081
Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time or click
here
for more information.
Successful long-term growth for most businesses is dependent upon the availability of capital.
When starting, expanding, or buying a business, unless you have access to funds personally or
through friends or family, most businesses will require either debt financing or equity
financing.
Debt financing occurs when a business borrows funds from a lender that must be repaid over a
period of time, usually with interest. It can be either short-term, with full repayment due in
less than one year, or long-term, with repayment due over a longer period. The lender does not
take an ownership interest in the business. Loans are often secured by some or all of the assets
of the company such as equipment, real estate, inventory, or accounts receivable.
In many cases business owners will be asked to provide 15 percent to 25 percent of the total amount of
funding that they are seeking. Business owners may be asked to provide personal guarantees and
pledge personal assets as well.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, with its various loan and incentive programs for
Kentucky-based businesses, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), through its loan
guarantee programs, are both major sponsors of programs designed to assist business
development.
Equity financing occurs when money is raised by a business in exchange for a share of ownership
in the company. Equity financing allows a business to obtain funds without incurring debt, or
without having to repay a specific amount of money over a particular time. Two key sources of
equity financing for new and emerging businesses are angel investors and venture capital firms.
Not all businesses are viable candidates for equity or venture capital investors. Equity investors
are primarily seeking innovative firms with high growth potential in the first few years of the
business. They want to earn a high rate of return on their investment in the firm and then sell
their ownership interest, hopefully at a significant profit. Therefore, an investor exit strategy is
an important component of any venture capital strategy.
Many entrepreneurs seek government grants or “free money” for their business. Despite popular belief,
grants are typically not a viable way to start or expand most businesses. In some cases, the
government may have grant funds available. These funds, however, are usually tied to innovative or
unique research and development efforts designed to spur new technologies.
Whether debt or equity capital is being sought, a strong
business plan package
is a must. For additional information or assistance, please email us at
cedsbsd@ky.gov or call 800-626-2250.
Additional Resources:
U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) information on business financing
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html
List of SBA preferred lenders in Kentucky
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/ky/financing/ky_pl.html
SBA 504 Loan Program
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/sbaloantopics/
cdc504/index.html
List of SBA Certified Development Company (504 loan) lenders in Kentucky
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/ky/financing/KY_CDC.html
SBA Express Loan Program
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/
7alenderprograms/sbaexpress/index.html
List of SBA Express Loan lenders in Kentucky
www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/ky_louisville/sba_023446.pdf
SBA Community Express Loan Program
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/
7alenderprograms/comexpress/index.html
List of SBA Community Express Loan lenders in Kentucky
www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/ky_louisville/sba_023445.pdf
SBA Patriot Express Loan Program (for veterans)
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/
7alenderprograms/pe/index.html
SBA Micro-Loan Program
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/
sbaloantopics/microloans/index.html
List of SBA Micro-Loan lenders in Kentucky
http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/
ky_louisville/ky_micky.txt
SBA Small Business Investment Company Program (Venture Capital)
www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/inv/esf/inv_sbic_financing.html
List of SBA Small Business Investment Companies in Kentucky
www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/
sba_program_office/inv_sbicky.txt
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development KMEL Program
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/
KMEL Fact Sheet.pdf
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Small Business Loan Program
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/
SmallBusinessLoanProgram.pdf
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Direct Loan Program
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/kedfadcp.pdf
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Business Incentive Programs
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/kybizince.aspx
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Department of Commercialization and Innovation
financing sources
http://www.thinkkentucky.com/dci/dcifunding.aspx
Kentucky Enterprise Fund and New Energy Ventures
www.startupkentucky.com
Venture Club of Louisville
http://ventureclub-louisville.org
Lexington Venture Club
http://www.lexingtonventureclub.com
Greater Owensboro Venture Club
http://www.owensboroventureclub.com