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DURHAM

SMALL BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY
LOAN FUND

DURHAM
LOAN
PROGRAM.

The City of Durham and Durham County have established the Durham Small Business Opportunity Loan Fund program to support small businesses in the community. The program that began as the Small Business Recovery Fund during the height of the Covid-19 shutdown will now expand its reach beyond disaster recovery by uplifting local businesses as they grow and thrive.  

 

Eligible businesses are those with fewer than 50 employees, including home-based businesses and food trucks, which are subject to additional criteria listed below.  Loans are ONLY available to businesses with revenues up to $5M, according to most recent tax filing.

Eligibility

  • Must be an independent business located within Durham County

  • For-profit businesses including, but not limited to sole proprietorships, home businesses, and independent contractors

  • Business with 50 of fewer full-time employees

  • Franchises are only eligible if the franchisor is independent and locally owned

  • Business with revenues up to $5 million according to the most recent tax filing

  • Business with a minimum of 2 years of profitable operation or growth trajectory

  • Business does not have credit accounts > 90 days past due at time of application

  • Business does not have any current open judgments or tax liens

  • Business total unpaid collections may not exceed $1,000

  • Business total unpaid charge-offs may not exceed $1,000

  • Business has not filed bankruptcy within in the past 3 years (Collections and charge-offs due to medical bills are exempt).

  • Business demonstrates that financial obligations and operating expenses could have been met absent the economic impact of COVID-19

  • Ineligible businesses include:

    • Non-profits

    • Real estate investment firms when the real property will be held for investment purpose

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Use of Funds

Funds may be used for legitimate business expenses, including but not limited to working capital, lease payments, existing real estate and equipment financing payments, refinance of high interest debt and covering payroll shortage. Funds may not be used to pay off tax liens, judgments, or collections.

Required Documentation

  • Completed simplified online loan application

  • Statement describing how the COVID-19 pandemic initially and adversely impacted the business and how the business has mitigated the adverse impacts or otherwise modified its business model due to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Copy of valid/unexpired driver’s license or other government–issued identification

  • Copy of business formation documents and/or partnership agreements

  • Copy of lease agreement or mortgage statement, if place of business is owned by the client

  • Last two years of business tax returns

    • Balance sheet for last two years must be provided if business filed on a Form 1040 - Schedule C

    • If prior year’s tax returns are not filed

      • Filed extension for the prior year

      • Prior year Profit and Loss Statement

      • Prior year Balance Sheet

    • Last two years of personal tax returns

    • If prior year personal tax returns are not filed

      • Filed extension for the prior year

  • Interim Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss for current year dated within 60 days of application

  • Debt Schedule

  • Most recent business bank statement

Interview with our CEO

CSBDF's CEO Kevin Dick was recently interviewed by Durham County In Focus Television Show. 

 

Interviewed by Deborah Craig Ray, General Manager for Strategic Management, Public Affairs, Innovation and Special Projects for Durham County Government. 

Loan Amount

  • Loan size: $5,000 to $35,000 for 10 years

  • Interest rate fixed at 3.00%

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