http://nbs.charlottenc.gov
BUSINESS EQUITY LOAN PROGRAM FACT SHEET
WHAT: A loan program aimed to:
Stimulate small business investment Create and retain jobs
Provide access to capital to small businesses
WHO: Eligible businesses include:
Start-up and expanding for-profit service, retail, and manufacturing businesses needing additional equity to qualify for primary
financing from a Bank and who meet all of the City's program guidelines are eligible to apply.
Businesses located outside of the Business Corridor Revitalization Geography must be in one of the following sectors (see Attachment I for additional details):
o Health; Defense; Energy/Environment; Finance; Motorsports; Manufacturing (see Attachment I)
Business owners must have less than $750,000 of personal net worth.
Prohibited businesses include adult oriented businesses, nightclubs, bars, hotels/motels, tattoo parlors, body-piercing shops, check cashing, pawnshops, car sales lots, gambling including but not limited to internet sweeps and cafes, businesses operating from residential property, non-profits, and any non-conforming uses.
WHERE: The program is available city-wide, with special consideration given to projects located in the City's Business Corridor Revitalization
Geography. To view the Revitalization Geography visit http:nbs.charlottenc.gov.
Businesses must be operating from commercial property; projects that represent residential uses or residential zoning are not eligible. Businesses located outside of the Business Corridor Revitalization Geography must be in one of the following sectors:
o Health; Defense; Energy/Environment; Finance;
Motorsports; Manufacturing (see Attachment I)
HOW: The City's loan works in connection with a primary loan from a Bank. The Bank, having identified a gap in project financing, requests the City to participate in the project.
http://nbs.charlottenc.gov
MAXIMUM Maximum Loan Amounts are based upon a number of factors
AMOUNT: including the Bank loan amount, jobs being created or retained, and location of the business:
The City loan will not exceed the total Bank loan amount. A borrower's cumulative City loan(s) cannot exceed $100,000. Manufacturing businesses have a maximum limit of $150,000. For projects located within the Business Corridor Revitalization Geography, the City loan can be up to 40% of the total project costs.
For projects located outside of the Business Corridor Revitalization Geography, the City loan can be up to 25% of the total project costs.
Example Inside Corridor Geography:
Bank Loan (50%): $125,000
City Loan (40%): $100,000
Borrower Equity (10%) $ 25,000
Total Project Cost: $250,000
Example Outside Corridor Geography:
Bank Loan (65%): $162,500
City Loan (25%): $ 62,500
Borrower Equity (10%) $ 25,000
Total Project Cost: $250,000
JOB Minimum of 1 job created or retained for every $65,000 of City loan
CREATION: funds. Additional consideration is given for manufacturing firms.
TERMS: Principal repayment of the City's loan is typically deferred for 1 - 3 years based upon project analysis and underwriting as conducted by the City.
During the deferral period the City will require a minimum monthly payment; this payment may consist of interest-only payments based on the current prime rate.
Upon expiration of the deferral period the Borrower is required to begin Principal and Interest (P&I) amortization of the loan, typically priced at the then current prime rate and not to exceed prime + 1.00%.
Typical loan term is 10-years, including the deferral period, though longer or shorter terms can be considered based upon project underwriting and generally accepted commercial loan underwriting guidelines.
COLLATERAL: Collateral is required. Maximum loan-to-value is 100%. Personal guaranties of all principals required.
CREDIT: Borrower and principals of business must have reasonable credit. Positive cash flow and acceptable debt coverage required.
Loan applicants will undergo credit and background checks. All personal and business federal, state, and local taxes must be paid.
REAL Loans involving real estate must be a minimum of 51% owner
ESTATE: occupied
FEES: Borrowers are responsible for loan closing and legal fees.
HOW TO The City's loan works in connection with a primary loan from a Bank.
APPLY: The Bank, having identified a gap in project financing, requests the City to participate in the project.
Applicants apply for a business loan directly to a Bank of their choice.
Banks use their established underwriting criteria when reviewing a loan request. A lender's decision to provide Bank loan funds is made at the sole discretion of the Bank. If the applicant meets all of the Bank's underwriting criteria, yet during the project analysis the Bank identifies a gap in project financing, the Bank requests the City to participate in the project to help fill the identified gap. The Bank loan must be contingent upon City approval to participate in the project.
A Bank's request for City participation in the project is made in the form of a loan commitment letter from the Bank, to the Applicant, that includes a contingency clause stating that "the Bank's loan is contingent upon the City approving a Business Equity Loan in the amount of $(XX,XXX)." The Bank loan is contingent upon City approval to participate in the project. The Bank provides the City with a copy their commitment letter with the contingency clause. The City verifies the applicant's eligibility for the program by requesting additional information from the Bank and Applicant. Each Applicant completes and provides the City with a City program application form after the bank loan commitment is secured. The Bank or Applicant will be contacted for additional information as needed. Loan requests are typically processed within 3 weeks but may take longer depending upon the amount of the loan requested and/or the complexity of the project.
Bank loans with variable interest rates may not exceed Prime + 2.00% while the City's loan is outstanding.
CONTACT: For more information visit http://nbs.charlottenc.gov or contact Eric Nelson, Small Business Loan Officer at 704-336-2735;
BUSINESS EQUITY LOAN PROGRAM - ATTACHMENT I
ELIGIBLE TARGET SECTORS (for projects outside of the Corridor Geography)
Businesses in the below sectors will demonstrate that 50% or more of their target market and long-term revenue is in each respective sector, and that they are directly related to growing the sector base in our region. General services firms that serve these industries are not included.
Health
Businesses such as:
o Doctor and Dentist Offices o Biomedical firms
o Software / IT
o Wholesale firms providing medical related supplies and equipment
Exclusions include retail firms such as pharmacies, health food stores, medical supply stores; personal training; fitness centers; weight management services; legal and financial services; marketing firms; etc.
Defense
Businesses that are focused on defense and national security and likely to be engaged in federal, state and local government procurement. Most often this will include firms providing or developing proprietary goods and services. Examples include:
o Software / IT / Telecommunications o Advanced Materials/Textiles
Exclusions include retail firms; firms specializing in personal safety; etc.
Energy/Environment
Focused on firms that require a high-level of technical expertise and certification in the green/clean fields and those using new and emerging technologies and products. Categories include:
o Clean Energy
Businesses related to the production, transmission and storage of clean, renewable power from solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.
o Energy Efficiency
Businesses related to reducing energy utilization
o Environmentally Friendly Production
Businesses seeking to mitigate harmful environmental impacts of existing products and developing and supplying alternatives that require less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gases
o Conservation and Pollution Mitigation
Businesses related to the management of water and other finite natural resources; mitigating emissions of greenhouse gases; reducing continued use of fossil fuels; recycling materials; hazardous materials remediation; etc.
Exclusions include retail firms; training; support services such as financial analysts, legal services, marketing; etc.
Finance
Examples include:
o Software / IT/ Telecommunications
Exclusions include retail firms; banks; mortgage firms; insurance providers; tax preparers; offices of certified public accountants; marketing firms; etc.
Motorsports
Examples Include:
o R&D in vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, instrumentation, safety, etc.
Exclusions include retail firms; auto supply; auto repair; support services such as marketing; etc.
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Legend
Railroad Major RoadsBusiness Corridor Revitalization Geography
Business Corridor Revitalization Geography
City of Charlotte, Economic Development Office Approved by Council May 27, 2008