Access to Capital

Rob Kaster, Business Finance Officer, Business Oregon

Business Oregon administers more than 80 grant, loan, tax incentive, and other programs to further the development of businesses, communities, and economies in Oregon.

Rob serves Benton, Clatsop, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, Yamhill counties.

Teresa Smith, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, Citizens Bank

Tyler Birman, Commercial Team Leader & CRA Officer, First Federal

Our commercial lenders will assist you in finding the perfect business loan, from construction to real estate. Please contact us to learn more about our commercial lending solutions

Marin Arreola, President, AES Inc. Latino Business Alliance

AES, Inc Firm was recognized in 2005 by President Bush for its work in promoting business and economic development in the Latino community.  Experienced in: finance, planning, neighborhood development strategies, technology-led economic development, workforce development, entrepreneurial and small business development strategies, real estate development, etc. 

Jason Hilton, CFO, MESO English / MESO Spanish

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)

Learn more about MESO programs including the McMinnville Loan Program: The City of McMinnville forgivable loan ranges from $5,000 to $20,000. This loan provides critical, flexible, and patient funding that enables businesses to re/activate operations and build towards future prosperity. Created in response to COVID-19, this loan is targeted to small, privately-owned businesses located within the City of McMinnville city limits. Prioritization is given to businesses that have been historically underserved and/or have not received other COVID relief funding.

MESO es una organización sin fines de lucro que presta servicios a pequeñas empresas en Oregón y el suroeste de Washington.  Nuestra misión es elevar y empoderar a los empresarios históricamente excluidos y con pocos recursos con asistencia comercial personalizada y capital flexible para generar riqueza familiar a través de la propiedad de pequeñas empresas. 

MESO ha trabajado en colaboración con la ciudad de McMinnville para crear un préstamo perdonable de hasta $20,000 para empresas elegibles. Además, MESO ofrece sesiones de clases virtuales sobre temas comerciales, desde marcas hasta impuestos comerciales, comercio electrónico, contratos comerciales y más. Visítanos en https://www.mesopdx.org/es-mx para más información.

Jeff Hilderbrand, Loan Program Manager, MWVCOG 

Mid Willamette Valley Council of Governments

We provide loans to assist small businesses expand, or start new ventures, with goals of diversifying the regional economy, stimulating investment and job growth.

The Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments is a voluntary association of over 40 local governments.  Members include Marion, Polk, Yamhill and parts of rural Clackamas counties, 32 cities, 7 special districts, and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.

We provide a diverse menu of services, such as:

• Community Planning & Development
• Transportation Planning
• Economic Development
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Small Business Financing
• Census Services
• GIS Services
• A variety of services to assist the needs of elected officials and executive staff

Jim Vu, SBDC Capital Access Team Advisor

CAT’s specialized advisers—many of whom are retired career bankers—provide entrepreneurs with expert advice on accessing capital. This expertise helps businesses foster economic growth and resilience at all stages and across industries.

Following an online readiness assessment, CAT advisers prepare business owners for funding through one-on-one guidance on business planning, financial projections, developing a finance strategy, and assisting with funder relations and connections.

CAT advisers have specialized expertise in business finance and knowledge of the capital landscape in their local areas. This includes traditional and alternative funding sources. CAT advisers challenge business owners to examine their financial model before determining the best path forward.

Miriam Vargas Corona, Executive Director, Unidos Bridging Community

UNIDOS is a diverse and welcoming nonprofit organization. We advocate for Latino immigrant families
and build bridges of support and understanding among Latino and non-Latino communities
in rural Yamhill County, Oregon.

With many dedicated volunteers and a small and energetic staff, we achieve our goals through education, leadership development, active collaboration, and relationships built on the respect of each other’s story.

Mike White, Venture Catalyst, Willamette Equity

Willamette Equity Advisors is a for-profit, economic development organization. We work with government and non-profit organizations to provide economic development solutions around innovation and entrepreneurship. We navigate entrepreneurs to people, programs and capital resources to help scale their business. We provide strategic advising around value building, raising venture capital, and technical assistance. Since 2019 we have worked with over 1,000 entrepreneurs, multiple government EcDev organizations to help catalyzed 100+ jobs, lead over 70+ events, $10m+ in access to capital and created multiple entrepreneur resources.

Patty Herzog, Executive Director, MEDP

Entrepreneur and Executive Director of McMinnville Economic Development Partnership, where her and her team are dedicated to providing connections, support, and insights to build up local entrepreneurs. 

Patty will moderate the Access to Capital Panel, guiding conversation and encouraging the audience to bring their questions to this unique opportunity.