An Ohio nonprofit organization is offering local businesses a financial boost to help get them through the pandemic.
The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) has about $250,000 that it is looking to invest in small businesses across the Tri-State.
RIGHT NOW THERE IS MONEY UPFOR GRABS.
THE ECONOMICCOMMUNITY INTVESTMENTINSTITUTE - OR E-C-D-I ISLOOKING FOR MINORITY OWNEDBUSINESSES THAT NEED A BOOSTDURING THE PANDEMIC.WCPO 9 NEWS REPORTER ALLYKRAEMER IS LIVE WITH HOW YOUCAN GET YOUR HANDS ON A LOAN.JULIE - ECDI IS A NON-PROFITTHAT NOW HAS ABOUT 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO PUT BACKINTO LOCAL BUSINESSES TO HELPTHEM THROUGH THE PANDEMIC ANDBEYOND.KRISTI WILLIAMS IS ONE OF THEENTREPRENURS WHO RECENTLYRECEIVED A $20,000 LOAN.
SHEOWNS KRISTI KOLLECTIONS, AMENTAL WELLNESS BRAND THATCREATES PRODUCTS THAT PROMOTEEMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING.
SHE SELLS EVERYDAYPRODUCTS LIKE SHOWER CURTAINS,BATH MATHS, BEAN BAG CHAIRS,PILLOWS AND JOURNALS.
THEY ALLHAVE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS SOYOU SEE THEM AND FEEL THATSENSE THAT YOU ARE LOVED ANDYOU HAVE A PURPOSE.
HERPRODUCTS ARE FOR SALE ONLINEAND THROUGH WAYFAIR, BUT A LOTOF SALES HALTED WHEN THINGSLIKE VENDOR FAIRS SHUT DOWN.KRISTI SAYS THE LOAN AND THEEDUCATION FROM THE SMALLBUSINESS ASSOCIATION HELPEDKEEP HER AFLOAT.Kristi Williams/KristKollections "That helped withbills, buying products,marketing, my graphicdesigner.
So even though Idon't have employees, I usecontractors so that helps keepthem employed."OFFICIALS WITH ECDI TELL METHEY'VE GIVEN OUT A NUMBER OFLOANS WITH THIS NEED FUNDINGBUT HAVE PLENTY AVAILABLE FORBUSINESSES IN OHIO AND INNORTHERN KENTUCKY AND INDIANA.WE'LL SHARE THE LINK TO THEAPPLICATION ON WCPO DOT COM.REPORTING LIVE, AK, WCPO 9NEWS.