North Carolina’s location on the Atlantic Ocean makes it an exceptional place to live for those who love the warmer weather of the South and want to be close to numerous outdoor amenities. The state’s coastlines are only dwarfed by the Appalachian Mountains that run through them, creating areas for mountain climbing and skiing. The state is home to 10.5 million people. Many of them live in the Research Triangle Area, which is made up of Raleigh, Durham, and Cary. Charlotte is another large city here. Called The Old North State and the Tarheel State, it is a vibrant place to live with diversity and lots to offer small businesses.
The state’s small businesses make up a large part of the economy here. While many know that the state’s economy is based on areas such as tourism, hydroelectric production, engineering, science, and technology, it is also home to a wide range of smaller businesses. That includes service-based companies, food service companies, tourism-focused organizations, and many others. There are 994,578 small businesses present in North Carolina, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Those companies provide jobs for 1.7 million people in the state and generate a payroll of $71,351,440. The state’s climate, access to resources, and location help to contribute to the benefits it offers small business owners.
In addition to this, small business lenders in North Carolina help to provide access to the necessary funds to start and grow companies here. This includes providing loans for equipment purchases, real estate investments, growth and development projects, and much more. The latest three years of data from the Small Business Administration shares that there are 3,056 small business loans active in the state with a total loan value of $2,662,119,593. For many small businesses, access to these funds is critical. Luckily, the average loan size is $871,112, providing companies with the capital infusion they need at competitive rates.
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How small business loans work in North Carolina
A small business loan is a type of financial investment lenders make into companies that have under 100 employees, though other restrictions are in place. Business owners utilize these loans to gain capital that they can then use to fund a wide range of needs, such as expansion or new product development. Small business lenders in North Carolina often include banks and private lenders, and many others. As a company owner, you may be interested in finding a competitive loan that can help you achieve your business objectives affordably.
Small business loans allow companies to obtain capital from lenders. The lender requires repayment of the borrowed amount plus interest. This is often paid back in a predetermined length of time. The loans may be structured in various ways, such as a single, one-time payment or a business line of credit. They can be designed to have federal backing or may not. More so, many small business loans are also designed to meet the needs of growing companies rather than those who are just opening their doors.
To obtain a small business loan, companies have to show they can make payments on time. To do this, lenders will require a great deal of information to determine if the borrower has the means to make payments on time on a reliable basis. They generally will look at the company’s financial health, including its age, assets, expenses, and other loans. It will then determine if collateral is available, which could help a company to secure a more affordable loan. Some lenders will also utilize the business owner’s credit history (unless the company’s business history is adequate).
All of this information helps to determine if the company qualifies for a loan, how much it can borrow, and the interest rate charged to them. Without a doubt, it is critical to ensure that any borrowed funds can be repaid easily to ensure that it meets budgetary needs. At the same time, companies should tap into these loans because they can provide a viable source of funding for expansion and new development, allowing the company to continue to succeed.
In North Carolina, you can expect to find a wide range of small business loan types, including:
- Bank loan
- SBA loan from SBA.gov
- Business term loan
- Business line of credit
- Equipment financing
Most entrepreneurs use their own funds or investment funds to startup. Over time, however, there’s a limit to what you can cover through credit cards. That’s when it’s time to think about small business loans and other business financing options like business credit. If you already have a business plan, tax returns, and examples of your revenue, you’re in a good position to discuss borrowing from a community development organization, financial institution, or credit union. Check out other business resources like those for nonprofits or from the North Carolina Small Business Development Fund, since these can be other opportunities for funding your business needs. If you’ve already looked into these and still need more, however, it’s time to evaluate your eligibility for business loans.
As a business owner, North Carolina small business loans can be a very valuable tool. Carefully compare options to determine which type of loan is best suited for your individual needs.