The Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund, which has granted 618 small-business loans since 1993, is expanding its reach to the disabled community. In conjunction with the Logan-based Utah Assistive Technology Foundation, it is willing to loan up to $25,000 each to disabled Utahns who want to start their own businesses. Applicants must have a strong business plan, a lot of desire and a willingness to meet face-to-face with UMLF's loan committee to plead their case.
Often, that meeting may be what turns a no into a yes, said UMLF CEO and Executive Director Kathy Ricci. "You must not be able to access ditional bank or credit union funding," she said. "Some people get turned down because they don't have enough collateral, or perhaps something happened in their lives -- a divorce, a medical problem, a layoff, a car accident -- that hurt their credit score. The Salt Lake Tribune
