Little Fish Brewing Company receives $50,000 loan from ACEDC’s micro revolving loan fund
An article on Little Fish’s micro loan was also features in the Athens Messenger: http://bit.ly/2lovbH8
Money to be used for equipment upgrades and solar panel installation project
Athens, OH, February 13, 2017 – Little Fish Brewing Company owners Sean White and Jimmy Stockwell received a $50,000 check from the Athens County Economic Development Council during a small reception held on Monday. The money comes from the ACEDC’s Small Business Micro Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, which was created from a USDA Rural Business Development Grant the ACEDC received.
ACECD executive director Sara Marrs-Maxfield explained the loan fund offers small injections of capital intended for smaller companies looking to grow and expand. Business Program Specialist Cindy Musshel attended the event on behalf of USDA Rural Development. Musshel explained, “the RLF program is a great use of the grant because commercial financing is not always easy for small emerging businesses to access.”
Co-owner Jimmy Stockwell outlined key equipment purchases the loan is helping finance including a new forklift, a more sophisticated bottler, and most notably the solar panel installation project they are completing with the help of Third Sun Solar.
The micro loan also coincides with another grant Little Fish recently received from the Rural Energy for America Program, which offers grants and loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements. Co-owner Sean White expressed his appreciation for the USDA Rural Development programs, and his hope that programs like these stick around in upcoming years.
ACEDC Board Chair Lenny Eliason presented the check to Little Fish. “It’s always nice to see something come to fruition and materialize with the Revolving Loan Fund” stated Eliason.
For more information on the Small Business Micro Revolving Loan Fund, call 740-597-1420 or visit http://athenscountyohedc.com/retention-expansion/revolving-loan-funds/.
About Little Fish Brewing Company
The philosophy of Little Fish Brewing Company is to brew simple, rustic, and beautiful beers. They strive to make their brewery a reflection of their beliefs. When feasible, they use organic malts. Specialty grains, such as corn and spelt, are grown locally in Ohio. The electricity is 100% wind power sourced. Every little bit helps.
About Athens County Economic Development Council
The Athens County Economic Development Council is the champion of business in Southeast Ohio. We are a public-private partnership committed to increasing economic opportunity in Athens County by encouraging entrepreneurship, recruiting new businesses, and helping existing businesses grow and expand. Advocacy is the cornerstone of all we do. We work for you because your success is our success. Prosperous businesses make for happy employees and a booming local economy.
Contact: Mollie Fitzgerald
740-597-1420
