Choose Your Region:
The Great North Woods Region is serviced by three non-profit business development organizations all focused on helping to start businesses; expand and grow those business and finance these activities. Additionally these non-profit organizations work with the region's commercial banks and state organizations to leverage investments.
The oldest and largest business development organization is Northern Community Investment Corporation, founded in NH in 1975 but serving the three northern counties of Vermont (Essex, Caledonia and Orleans counties) and New Hampshire (Coos, Grafton and Carroll counties).
As a Community Development Finance Institution, NCIC has flexibility in its lending practices unlike a bank which must satisfy stockholders and depositors.
Financial services offered by NCIC include: direct term loans; guarantees on bank loans; lines of credit; working capital loans; equity investments; SBA 504 fixed asset loans and development of commercial or industrial property.
Through its partnership with Coos Economic Development Corporation, based in Lancaster, NCIC is the key applicant and manger of Community Development Block Grants (US Housing and Urban Development funds) to assist business development and expansion when tied to job creation.
NCIC can be reached at its St. Johnsbury, Vt. headquarters at
347 Portland St.
P.O. Box 904
phone 1-802-748-5101
fax 802-748 1994
e-mail ncic@ncic.org
BIDPA was created by the city of Berlin under State law (RSA-162-G) to promote economic development in Berlin. Acting with a 15 member advisory board, BIDPA manages the City's industrial parks and also provides a variety of services to new and existing companies.
BIDPA office: 603-752-1630
bidpa@ncia.net
www.nhbidpa.com
Economic Development Director: 603-752-7001x42
tcced@ncia.net
BEDCO is similar in nature to NCIC but focuses its lending and business development activities only in Northern New Hampshire. It can provide start-up and growth financing for: real estate acquisition or improvement; business acquisition or expansion; the purchase of furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, rolling stock and new technology; or inventory and working capital.
Director Bill Andreas can be reached at
603 752 3319
fax 603 752-4421
email bedcoed@ncia.net
PO Box 628
Berlin, NH 03570-0628
CEDC is one of New Hampshire's recognized Regional Development Corporation's and as such is the regional conduit for Community Development Block Grants for all of Coös County (in partnership with NCIC). Repayment of these loans will help capitalize the Coös Region Revolving Loan Fund which will provide finance opportunities for start-up and expanding businesses.
CEDC also manages development in two industrial parks (Lancaster and Whitefield) and supports several small, local economic development corporations throughout the county. In addition CEDC continues to provide a much needed liaison between municipal government and state agencies on development issues and initiatives.
CEDC's executive director, Peter Riviere, serves as the acting director of the Great North Woods Region Association, the regional tourism promotion group and as executive secretary of North County Connect, an initiative to bring affordable, ubiquitous high speed broadband data and communications services to the northern three counties.
CEDC is located in the Old Courthouse at 148 Main Street Lancaster and can be reached at
603-788-3900
fax 788-3355
email cedc@ncia.net