The Economic Development Division is committed to providing services leading to community economic enhancement and individual self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through a small business loan programs, small business courses, technical assistance, matched savings program (IDAs) and money management courses within Oklahoma and Canadian counties.

PROGRAMS:

Oklahoma City Empowerment Zone
Small Business Loan Program
Section 108 Revolving Loan Program
Technical Assistance
Small Business Training
Green Home Loan Program
Individual Development Accounts-Matched Savings Program

LET US HELP YOU CREATE OR EXPAND YOUR SMALL BUSINESS!

Empowerment Zone
Oklahoma City's Empowerment Zone is a 21 square mile area in the center of Oklahoma City created to promote public-private collaboration and stimulate job growth through tax breaks and incentives for businesses and employees in the zone.  Go to www.empowerokc.com for more information on tax credits and incentives available to the area.

Small Business Loan Assistance Program
A unique financing program designed to promote the expansion and growth of small businesses, thus increasing employment within the City of Oklahoma City area. This Fund enhances access to capital by participating with local financial resources. This loan enables entrepreneurs to receive low interest loans for the start up and expansion of small businesses. The program targets businesses with 20 or fewer employees.

• Use of Loan: Acquisition of land and buildings, construction and renovations of facilities, purchase of machinery, equipment, inventory and working capital.
• Loan Amount: Loan amount ranges from $5,000 up to $250,000.
• Loan Terms: The loan term will range from 3 years to 15 years, as determined by the loan review committee.
• Interest Rate: The rate may be fixed or variable and typically below market rates, as low as 3%.
• Collateral: Collateral will be sought to secure all financing. Acceptable security includes but not limited to: mortgages (business or personal); liens on business assets; other corporate and/or personal guarantees; and assignment of life insurance policies.
• Geographic Guidelines: Applicants must meet the geographic guidelines to initially qualify. The business must be located within the city limits of Oklahoma City.

Section 108 Revolving Loan Program

• Purpose: To assist in the expansion or creation of small businesses within the areas of the Empowerment Zone Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area and the City of Oklahoma City as a whole. The financing assists in resource gaps and is to be used in participation with financial institutions.
• Uses of Loan: Acquisition of land and buildings, construction and renovations of facilities, purchase of machinery, equipment, inventory and working capital. Loan Amount: Loan amount may range from $5,000 to $2,500,000.
• Loan Terms: The loan term will range from 3 years to 15 years as determined by the loan review committee. Interest Rate: The fixed interest rate may as low as 4%..  The variable interest rate shall not be less than the 3-month LIBOR plus one (1) percent.
• Collateral: Collateral will be sought to secure all financing. Acceptable security includes but not limited to: real estate mortgages (business or personal); liens on business assets; other corporate and/or personal guarantees; and assignment of life insurance policies.
• Guidelines: The business must be creating jobs for employees from low to moderate-income households. The business must be located in the City of Oklahoma City with preference given to the Empowerment Zone Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area.
• Fees: Loans up to $45,000, application fee of $100. Loans over $45,000, application fee of $200. There is also an origination fee.

Technical Assistance
The Economic Development Division also provides technical assistance to qualifying applicants in the following areas:

   
• Business Counseling 
• Site Location 
• Business Plan Development
• Access to Referral Network 
•       Business Establishment

Small Business Training
Designed for prospective entrepreneurs and existing small business owners, the Small Business Training Class covers a variety of topics. Business professionals and EDD staff present training on the following topics.  

• Business Plan Development 
• Basic Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Business Taxes 
•       Personnel Management
• Legal Issues
• Loan Packaging
• Marketing and Advertising
• Ecommerce
• Social Media 
 

2012 Small Business Training Course Schedule

January 24th - February 23rd, 2012
Metro Technology Center, 1700 Springlake Drive
Tuesday and Thursday Evenings
6:00pm - 8:00pm

April 17th - May 17th, 2012
Metro Technology Center, 1700 Springlake Drive
Tuesday and Thursday Evenings
6:00pm - 8:00pm

The cost of the course is $25, which includes all ten classes, the books and all handouts. For more information on the Small Business Training Course you can email Jennifer Ramsey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Green Home Loan Program

The intention of the Green Home Loan Program is to improve energy efficiency and to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions in our communities.  This is part of the City of Oklahoma City’s overall goal of becoming a leader in energy and efficiency and sustainability, reducing energy consumption by 10% by 2015, and reducing OKC’s greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2015.  These improvements can also save you money, make your home more comfortable, increase home value and market attractiveness and address many common maintenance issues.

Loan Limits: Maximum Green Home Loan amount is $15,000
Loan Terms: Loans will have up to a 48 month repayment schedule
Loan Rates: Fixed 3% interest rate
Types of Projects: Installation of energy efficient windows and exterior doors, replacement of inefficient heat and air systems, installation of cool roofs, purchase of energy efficient appliances, addition of home insulation, lighting replacement, water efficient fixtures, etc.  (These are examples of projects and not limited to the above list)

Eligibility:

• Property must be located within the city limits of Oklahoma City
• Property must be a residential structure and the applicant homeowner’s PRIMARY residence
• Applicant’s annual household income cannot exceed $100,000
• Renters and landlords are NOT eligible to apply
• Those residents who have received weatherization assistance from CAA or through any federally-funded weatherization program are NOT eligible to apply.

 Eligible Uses:  CAA must approve the work as well as contractors before beginning any project.  Loan funds are not issued to home owners.  Contact CAA to discuss the details of the program.  Contact the Economic Development Division at 232-0199.

Individual Development Accounts
Matched Savings Program
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are savings accounts established at participating banks by working parents or working high school students. Participants can deposit up to $2,000 of their own money into their IDA and receive up to a $4,000 match for a total of $6,000. These funds come from federal and non-federal sources.

• IDA PURCHASES: The money accumulated in the IDA savings accounts can only be used toward the following purposes.
• HOME PURCHASE: Down payment and/or closing cost on first home BUSINESS: Starting or expanding a small business
• HIGHER EDUCATION: Accredited Vo-Tech, College, or University
• PROGRAM DETAILS:
  • Length of Program - Participants must save monthly for at least six months but have up to two years to reach their saving goal (up to $2,000). Upon enrollment, each participant creates a Savings Plan and determines how much they want to save and how long they will take to save that amount.
  • Saving - The IDA is opened with at least $50 at one of the participating banks. Participants must make a minimum deposit of $25 each month into their IDA savings account. Each year, a larger deposit from an earned income tax credit refund can also be used in order to help participants boost their account balance.
  • Training - Before accounts are opened, participants will attend initial money management classes. While participants are saving, they will attend additional money management classes covering the topics of Goal Setting, Budgeting, and Saving, Credit Issues, and Credit Repair. Once the participant has chosen what they will save toward, they will also attend Small Business Training, Home Ownership Training, or Higher Education Preparation Workshops.

STEPS TO PARTICIPATION

STEP 1 - Contact an IDA Coordinator at 232-0199 to schedule an individual orientation.

STEP 2 - Open your account at a participating bank with at least $50.

STEP 3 - Save monthly and attend required training.

STEP 4 - Use your funds toward one of the three qualified expenses (Home, Education, or Business)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must Live in Oklahoma or Canadian County
• Must be currently employed
• Must have at least 1 child under 18-years old living in the home on a full time basis
• Combined income for each adult working and living in home must be at or below income guidelines (income guidelines change on an annual basis. Please call for current income guidelines)

Note: Other qualifications apply and will be discussed upon setting an appointment with the IDA Coordinator.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City
and Oklahoma/Canadian Counties, Inc.
319 S.W. 25th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
Phone (405) 232-0199
Fax (405) 232-9074

Division Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
IDA Program This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Small Business/Green Home Loan  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Administrative Assistant This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it