BELPRE OHIO
The 2nd Settlement in The Northwest Territory

It should be noted that the programs included in this guide may not continue to be available. In addition, each situation and application is considered separately and final decisions rest with lending institutions and the agency responsible for administering each program.

Introduction

When considering one of the following financing programs, remember most require a private lender's participation. Before entering an application for public financing assistance it is important, especially for small and-or start-up businesses, to provide the appropriate governmental agency and private lender with:

• A business plan -- Written to integrate product-service, marketing, management, financing, scope, etc. (assistance in developing such a plan is available from the Small Business Development Center)
• Capacity to repay debt -- Cash flow and income statements for current periods and projected over the next three (3) years, by month for the first year projected, thereafter for the entire year.
• Funding requirements -- Your projection should state the amount of funds needed and reasons for the need. It should detail such factors as amounts needed for fixed assets; for receivables or inventories and how these amounts were determined; how much cash will be generated from operations; how the owner plans to use internal financing sources; and when the funds will be needed.
• General financial position -- What is owned and what is owed. Sources of funds can be demonstrated by a personal balance sheet, and current and projected balance sheets (over a three year period) for your business.
• Collateral -- Inform the lender about assets you can pledge as security for a loan.

Getting Started

The 1^st Stop Business Connection, a program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Centers and the U.S. Small Business Administration, provides FREE state-level information needed to get started or continue on your entrepreneurial journey.

You will be guided through six simple steps to create a business information kit. Then, you can immediately download your kit.

Your FREE business information kit will contain the basics all business must know and the state-level regulations and forms specifically for your business. You will still need to check federal and local regulations before starting your business. After you complete your kit request, you will be able to click on links to the state and federal agencies every business comes in contact with.

If you would like to have a business information kit sent to you through U.S. mail, please call us toll free at 1-800-248-4040 or 614-466-4232.

After reviewing your kit, contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free, one-on-one business consulting assistance.

www.odod.state.oh.us/onestop

Key Ohio Phone Numbers