Eligibility Criteria
Businesses must meet several criteria in order to qualify for our Micro Loan program. Please read through these criteria carefully before completing a loan application.
Type of Business
Existing and start-up manufacturing, retail, wholesale and service businesses having twenty employees or fewer at the time of application and generally meeting the definition of small businesses. Owners must have incomes below the Barnstable County Area Median Income, in accordance with Federal definitions.
Location of Business
The program provides assistance to small businesses in Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet.
Jobs Creation Requirement
The business must demonstrate the potential for job creation, including jobs which would be available to low-to-moderate income individuals. Jobs creation will be monitored by the CDP semi-annually.
Management Capacity
The business must demonstrate management capacity and/or willingness to utilize CDP provided technical assistance throughout the life of the loan, if necessary.
Use of Funds
Micro lending funds from the Community Development Partnership can be used to finance any customary capital or operating needs of the business with the exception of:
- Payment of delinquent taxes
- Product development costs
- Organizational costs
- Debt refinancing
FinancING Gap
The business has to demonstrate the need for loan funds to fully finance the business operations.