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MMS Progress Report: January – June 2016

Summary Six organizations participated in the MMS cohort during the first half of 2016: CDC Small Business Finance, Economic Development & Financing Corporation, Fresno CDFI, Mission Economic Development Agency, Opening Doors, and Women’s Economic Ventures. They have received a combined total of 311 applications so far this year, and funded a total of 89 loans.

Modify State Loan Guarantee Program

We’ve written a lot about the explosive growth of online lenders that offer quick cash, but often come with confusing and expensive terms.  Many CAMEO members want to refinance these loans, but face a challenge in that the California State Loan Guarantee Program doesn’t back this type of financing.  Thanks to Carla Ulloa of CDC

Mendocino Wool Completes Direct Public Offering (DPO)

by Susan Brown Local Investing: Another Facet of Community Lending Many CDFIs focus on scaling their microlending, Community Advantage and SBA 504 loans. Another branch of community lending is represented by a project in Mendocino County – social impact lending using a Direct Public Offering (DPO) in which an investment opportunity is offered and sold

Etsy Goes to Market in Chico

Last night kicked off the first Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship training at the SBDC in Chico as the second part of our Go-To-Market program in Chico. The first was our specialty foods conference in April. Everyone came with their products – jewelry, Christmas ornaments, greeting cards, quilts, children costumes, wood pallets, leather goods, pet products, ceramics,

Two More Reasons to Support Small and Micro Business Infrastructure

We’ve posted a lot over the years about the value and multiplier effects of small businesses to local communities.  Boku Kodama (Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and CAMEO board member) wrote about two studies in Sonoma and Los Angeles counties in a concept paper he recently presented. The studies give more evidence for the value of your