Tajikistan boy in cotton
Photo: John Strickland/Mercy Corps
news United States April 1, 2009 11:00PM

Small Business Stimulus May Help Local Entrepreneurs

By April Baer

OPB, April 2, 2009

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The Obama administration made $15 billion available to jump-start small business lending. Some national lenders question whether the government's cash infusion comes with too many strings attached.

Oregon's traditional banks have had generally positive reactions. Some report they're getting more inquiries than usual for SBA-backed loans.

Mercy Corps Northwest lends to entrepreneurs who can't get funded by traditional sources.

Loan officer Brian Fassett says it's still a tough lending market for small businesses.

Brian Fassett. " We have a lot of folks coming into us, currently unemployed or expecting to be, who are trying to get a Plan B in place."

Fassett says the stimulus cash will help many more clients get loans.

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Media Contact Staff

For inquiries from members of the press.

Contact Mercy Corps’ communications team by emailing press@mercycorps.org, or by getting in touch directly with one of the team members listed below.

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Mercy Corps, European Headquarters
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cassandra_mc2002@yahoo.com


Donation Information for Media Publication

Mercy Corps
Dept. NR
PO Box 2669
Portland, Oregon 97208
www.mercycorps.org
800.852.2100

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