The Economic Development Association of Skagit County was recently awarded a $45,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Community Trade & Economic Development. These grant dollars have assisted EDASC in starting the Latino Business Retention & Expansion program. The program is a partnership between EDASC, Skagit Valley College and Community Capital Development’s NW Women’s Business Center.
Diana Morelli was hired to fill the Latino Business Outreach position. This position is charged with performing outreach activities in the Latino business community in an effort to make business owners aware of the services that are provided by EDASC’s and SVC’s Small Business Development Center.
The Small Business Development Center serves Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. No-fee, confidential, one-on-one counseling is offered on all management topics. Business owners benefit from our counseling services through improved profitability and increased potential for growth. Assistance in buying, selling or starting a business, preparing a business plan, choosing and incorporating new technology, analyzing financials, and improving marketing techniques can be obtained from the center.
An additional tool that is being established through the outreach program is the Latino Business Loan Fund. This fund will be available for Latino owned businesses to apply to for financing of their businesses. Existing business and start-up businesses are eligible for the fund. Businesses making application to the fund will be required to submit a business plan and projections for review by a loan officer. The loan fund is supported by the NW Women’s Business Center and Whidbey Island Bank.
With the continued growth of the Latino community in Skagit County, it is hoped that this new outreach program will bring additional Latino-owned businesses into the Business Resource Center for assistance in starting and growing their businesses.
Email Diana at diana@skagit.org for more information.
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