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AEO ANNOUNCES FY 2004 FUNDING LEVELS

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the national trade association for those involved in microenterprise work, has announced the priorities for funding in FY2004. These priorities are:

· Small Business Administration Microloan Program - The SBA Microloan Program provides loans and technical assistance grants to programs that assist micro businesses. SBA is recommending funding this program at the $25M level for lending and $25M level for microloan TA. Two NMPF grantee programs are SBA lenders - Self Employment Loan Fund of Lincoln and the Center for Rural Affairs REAP program.

· PRIME - The Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs provides grants to microenterprise development organizations to offer training and technical assistance to low-income entrepreneurs, regardless of whether they seek access to capital. Funding is recommended by AEO at $15M for this programs in FY 2004. NMPF is a recipient of PRIME funds.

· Women's Business Centers - These centers provide training and technical assistance to women starting or expanding their businesses. Funding is recommended at the $14.5M level. The Center for Rural Affairs REAP project has a Women's Business Center.

· CDFI Fund - The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the Department Treasury makes capital grants, equity investments and capacity building grants to community development financial institutions. Recommended funding for this program is $80 M in FY 2004. NMPF, SELF and NED are certified CDFI's.

All of these funds are playing vital roles in Nebraska to help support services for self-employed individuals. You can make a difference by visiting AEO's website, www.microenterpriseworks.org, for more information on how to get involved.