The Hudson-Litchfield Rotary will be holding its annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, August 13th and Sunday, August 14th from 8AM to 11:30AM at the Alvirne High School Cafeteria, 200 Derry Road, Hudson.  Cost is $5per person and children under 6 are free. Also on display will be an Arts Exhibit of student art work . Proceeds benefit the Rotary's charitable activities. 

St. Mary's Bank announced today the launch of a pilot program to offer mini loans to start ups and small emerging companies that are finding it difficult to obtain more traditional bank financing.

Through the St. Mary's Bank Small Business Community Outreach (SBCO) loan program, loans of up to $5,000 are available to individual small businesses on a limited basis.  Applicants must be referred through St. Mary's Bank's non-profit partner for this endeavor, abi Innovation Hub, a local business incubator where businesses have access to infrastructure, resources, and connections. The program favors businesses with the potential to create new jobs.

"We see many new companies out there with excellent business models that just can't secure the financing needed, even in small amounts, to grow," said Michele Petersen, vice president of operations at abi Innovation Hub.  "St. Mary's Small Business Community Outreach Loan helps bridge that gap and keeps small business thriving in our city."

"Small businesses help drive job growth in our area," said Tom Champagne, St. Mary's Bank Director of Community Outreach.  "St. Mary's SBCO program gives business owners the means to achieve their goals and create new jobs in the process.  It's one more way our outreach efforts support the community."

Basics of the SBCO loan program include:

·              Individual loans of up to $5,000.

·              Term loan of 6-24 months.

·              Interest rates at or slightly above market rates to reflect risk.

·              Loan requests must be submitted by and through abi Innovation Hub.

SBCO is part of St. Mary's broader Community Outreach Programs, which like SBCO are delivered through partnerships with local non-profit partners.  First introduced in 1996, St. Mary's has committed over $34 million to the community outreach programs.

About St. Mary's Bank:

Founded in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1908, St. Mary's Bank is the nation's first credit union.  As a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union, St. Mary's Bank makes progressive financial products and services available and affordable to consumers and businesses. Members enjoy excellent service, competitive rates, low fees and state-of-the-art banking services.  Headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, St. Mary's Bank has branches in Manchester, Hudson, Londonderry, Milford and Nashua. Call 1-888-786-2791 or visit www.stmarysbank.com  for more information.

Starting and operating a business can be exciting and invigorating, but it can also be overwhelming.  The NH Corporate Division of SBA is offering FREE consulations on August 4th, August 11th (8:30Am - 10AM), August 18th (10AM - 12PM) and August 25th (2:30pm to 3:30PM) at NH Secretary of State Corporate Division, 25 Capitol Street, 3rd Floor in Concord, NH.  No appointment is necessary. 

Knowledge and planning are key ingredients in starting or growing a business and the SBA has resources available to you.  A Business Development Specialist from the US Small Business Administration, will be available to meet one-on-one and provide busienss assistance to address your concerns, direct you to the appropriate resources and help you get started in the right direction. 

For more information contact Miguel Moralez, Business Development Specialist, in SBA's Concord, NH office at (60) 225-1601 or via email at miguel.moralez@sba.gov.  For more infromation visit www.sba.gov/nh.