CONTACT:

NC Bankers Association
Blair Kennedy
bkennedy@ncbankers.org

NC Chamber
Kate Catlin Payne
kpayne@ncchamber.com

NC Rural Center
Bill Holmes
bholmes@ncruralcenter.org

Byron Hicks
NC SBTDC
rbhicks@ncsu.edu 

North Carolina Launches Tool to Increase Access to Capital for Small Business
NC Bankers Association, NC Chamber, NC Rural Center, and NC SBTDC Collaborate to Offer Resources to Help Small Businesses Grow in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – A new online tool will help North Carolina small businesses more easily connect with sources of capital. Capital Opportunities offers a financial institution search feature allowing a business owner to input information on their business and the specific work they are looking to fund, geographic details and preferences, and receive a listing of financial institutions that can meet those needs, as well as a specific person they can contact at those institutions.

Visit Capital Opportunities at capitalopportunitiesnc.org.

“North Carolina banks are looking for opportunities to support small businesses. Our focus in developing the Capital Opportunities website has been to make it easy for small businesses to identify the banks in their area that are a fit for their unique needs,” said Peter Gwaltney, president and chief executive officer at the North Carolina Bankers Association.

The website also offers information to help small businesses understand the different types of financing and funding available, and guidelines on how to best prepare to seek out funding.

“Capital formation is one of the most critical components to growing a business,” said Byron Hicks, assistant vice chancellor and state director of the Small Business and Technology Development Center. “This tool will be instrumental in streamlining a process that can be challenging for small business owners who are looking to invest in their business and in our state.”

“Being named the top state for business was intentional and we want North Carolina to be known for its competitive economy for businesses of all sizes,” said Gary J. Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber. “This tool will connect small business owners with resources to grow their businesses, create jobs, and, ultimately, invest in people and communities across North Carolina.”

“Access to capital has been at the core of the Rural Center’s mission since our founding 36 years ago,” said Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the NC Rural Center. “This tool moves us closer to connecting small business owners with the money they need to grow their business, increase investment, and create jobs no matter where they live in North Carolina.”

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About the NC Bankers Association:
The North Carolina Bankers Association brings together all categories of banking institutions that best represent the interests of our rapidly changing state. Proudly serving North Carolina’s banking industry since 1897, the NCBA is the professional trade organization providing advocacy, leadership and support for its dynamic membership base. For more information, visit ncbankers.org.

About the NC Chamber:
The NC Chamber works to research, develop, advocate, and communicate for solutions and policies that produce a nationally competitive business climate in North Carolina. For more information, visit ncchamber.com.

About the NC Rural Center:
The NC Rural Center’s mission is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. We serve the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. For more information, visit ncruralcenter.org.

About the North Carolina SBTDC:
The North Carolina SBTDC is a business advisory resource for growing and developing businesses. Its highly skilled professionals provide services statewide from offices hosted by campuses of The University of North Carolina System. The SBTDC operates in formal partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, making it a unique and valued asset in the economic development infrastructure of North Carolina. For more information, visit sbtdc.org.