Blaine Lake Economic Development Co-operative has been an active small business loan association in the Blaine Lake area since its inception in 1989.
BLEDCO held its annual general meeting in April and current directors include Bob Burletoff, Keith Woytiuk, Anne Sitter, Vivian Nemish, Lorne Popov, Brian Verbonac, Eugene Chudskov and administrator Pam Lavoie. BLEDCO is accepting applications for loans up to a maximum of $20,000 for new or existing businesses. More information and application forms can be obtained by contacting Pam or one of the directors.
Obtaining a loan through a local SBLA benefits the entire community. The interest incurred through the loan remains within the community to be filtered into various community projects or organizations upon approval of the board of directors. BLEDCO has provided funds by contributing to the seniors' centre, centennial monument project, recreational organization and farmers' bonspiel, millstone project, playschool, school shop program and school community council, Remembrance Day and local CPR/first aid educational program.
The small business loan association program encourages diversification of the Saskatchewan economy and supports community economic development by making funding available, through community-run organizations, to non-traditional entrepreneurs. The SBLA program is only available to Saskatchewan businesses. The government provides funding to local SBLA organizations which, in turn, provide loans to businesses that have experienced difficulty accessing financing through traditional means. Local businesses assisted by SBLA loans include service stations, food service industries, manufacturers and various retail businesses. Thousands of small businesses have been assisted, and hundreds of SBLA have been formed, since the program's inception in 1989.
The SBLA funding has initiated significant growth in the province and is an example of what can be achieved when the government and communities work in partnership. The assistance SBLAs provide plays an important part in building the rural economy, creating jobs and keeping our communities healthy and strong.
