Three transactions total $550,000
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Capital Access Program (WVCAP) approved fund transactions totaling $550,000 for three small businesses during its January meeting.
WVCAP is the state’s new program designed to increase small business access to capital they can use to invest, expand and create jobs. The program was announced in December 2011 when the United States Department of the Treasury approved the state’s application for State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding. The approval gives West Virginia access to $13.1 million to fund new small business lending programs.
The WVCAP transactions are:
- Protea Bioscience, Morgantown, $100,000 loan originated by West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT)
- Liberty Hydro Inc., South Charleston, $250,000 convertible debenture originated by WVJIT
- Aither Chemicals LLC, South Charleston, $200,000 convertible debenture originated by INNOVA
Convertible debenture is a type of loan that the lender can convert into company shares. Debentures let companies raise the money they need to grow while leaving their assets available to develop their projects.
WVCAP approved several organizations as lending sources. They are:
- WVJIT, the state’s venture capital fund
- Natural Capital Investment Fund
- West Virginia Rural Health Infrastructure Loan Fund
- INNOVA Commercialization Group
- New River Regional Development Authority
- Mid-Ohio Valley Area Development Corporation
- Ohio
Valley Industrial & Business Development Partnership
WVCAP committee members are:
- Andrew Zulauf, Walt Dial and Bob Welty, WVJIT
- Keith Burdette, West Virginia Department of Commerce
- Steve Webb, West Virginia Economic Development Authority
- Kristina Oliver, West Virginia Small Business Development Council
- Marten Jenkins, Natural Capital Investment Fund
For more information, contact West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT), 304-345-6200, www.wvjit.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 23, 2012
CONTACT: Andrew Zulauf, 304-345-6200