Business Expo to Help Lehigh Valley Entrepreneurs Get Financing

You have a great idea for a business but need a loan? There may be hope. Entrepreneurs who need financing will have an opportunity to make a series of 10-minute pitches about their needs to a variety of lenders in one-on-one meetings at The Lehigh Valley Lender Match and Business Resources Expo.

The event is free and will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 20 at the ArtsQuest Center at Steelstacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and other economic development organizations will participate in the event. Participating lenders will schedule more detailed interviews for a later date with entrepreneurs whose proposal may be a match.

Representatives from SBA’s Resource Partner network -- SCORE and Small Business Development Centers -- will also be available to help potential borrowers.

The Business Expo will include resource displays and networking opportunities.

Pre-Registration:

• To participate in the lender match entrepreneurs must pre-register at...
• http://events.sba.gov/eventmanagement/EventRegistration.aspx?id=b4e6c9aa-0720-e111-86ff-02bfa56e2a24

Entrepreneurs participating in the lender match should bring the following materials to the event:

• Cover sheet containing all contact info and business information
• Detailed loan request, providing a breakdown of use of proceeds
• Current business plan, including three years of historical financial statements and/or two years of projections
• Personal financial statement
• Personal tax returns for the last two years
• Credit report
• List of available collateral

Along with the U.S. SBA, the following organizations are sponsors of the Lehigh Valley Lender Match and Business Resources Expo:

• Lehigh University Small Business Development Center
• Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
• Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.
• SCORE Lehigh Valley
• Pennsylvania Community Development and Finance Corporation
• Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce
• Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce

For more information contact Michael Kane, SBA Business Development Specialist at (610) 382-3085 or michael.kane@sba.gov.