Capital, The Fuel That Runs a Business

NABC held its Access to Capital Workshop on Tuesday, January 24 in Anacortes, WA. Attended by 23 small farm and food businesses, the workshop featured financing and representatives from programs that provide loans from less than $5,000 to more than $300,000. Lending programs included Business Impact Northwest, Craft 3, Farm Services Agency, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Port of Bellingham Revolving Loan Fund, Skagit Council of Governments Revolving Loan Fund, and USDA Rural Development.
The workshop also featured business planning and technical assistance providers including Growing Veterans, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County/SBA Small Business Development Center, NABC, Sustainable Connections Food & Farming Program, Viva Farms, and Western Washington University/SBA Small Business Development Center.
Angie Shephard, co-owner of Valley View Farm, San Juan County, was a satisfied participant. “This workshop was an efficient way for a busy producer to visit with more than a dozen lenders and technical assistance providers in one day! I was able to get useful information that is specific to my particular situation and needs. The diversity of programs and options was great and I was able to bring back information and connections from these providers to share with my community. I also really valued the time to network, learn, and share with other producers. I left with practical information and next steps that I could act upon.”
Be looking for more opportunities to learn about accessing capital and USDA grant programs in the Fall of 2017.