Thursday, May 12, 2011

Farmers and small businesses in Blythedale, Maryville and Ridgeway awarded $600,000 in loans by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) today announced he awarded more than $600,000 in low-interest loans in northwest Missouri. Jerrod Ledgerwood received a $74,000 loan for his custom harvesting business in Blythedale, Gregory and Miraya Barmann were awarded a $310,000 loan for their Maryville farm and Beck’s Convenience Store in Ridgeway received a $220,000 loan.

“My goal with this loan program is to provide a tool so that small businesses and farmers can provide jobs for any Missourian looking for one,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “The Missouri Linked Deposit Program continues to grow, adding new lenders throughout the state. We are helping farmers like the Barmann’s, small businesses like Beck’s and entrepreneurs like Jerrod expand on new opportunities.”

The low-interest loan for Gregory and Miraya Barmann will save them an estimated $16,000 in interest costs over three years should they choose to take out loans for that length of time. The loan will be used to purchase 160 acres of farmland to raise cattle and plant row crops.

“Farming is part of our family tradition,” Gregory Barmann said. “The Missouri Linked Deposit Program is helping my wife and I ensure the tradition continues. I encourage other farmers looking for low-interest loans to consider this program.”

Nodaway Valley Bank partnered to make the loan.

“Our customers need low-cost capital as they seek to continue to grow their farms in our region,” said Clint Tobin, assistant vice president of Nodaway Valley Bank. “Treasurer Zweifel and the Missouri Linked Deposit Program provide our customers options they need during these difficult economic times. We look forward to helping this program continue to grow in northwest Missouri.”

The loan to Jerrod Ledgerwood will save his custom harvesting business an estimated $9,000 in interest costs over five years should loans be taken out for that length of time. Ledgerwood used the loan to purchase the business from its previous owner. The loan improves his cash flow.

Beck’s Convenience Store will save an estimated $15,000 in interest costs over three years should loans be taken out for that length of time. The store is using the loan to refinance debt and improve cash flow. Beck’s currently has one full-time employee. Citizens Bank of Blythedale partnered with Treasurer Zweifel to make loans to Beck’s Convenience Store and Ledgerwood.

The $38.4 million in loans issued to northwest Missouri borrowers has impacted 356 jobs and 309 farmers. Qualifying borrowers generally save 30 percent on the cost of the loan.

Nearly $626 million in loans have been approved statewide impacting nearly 8,300 jobs and 2,150 farmers since January 2009.

About the Missouri Linked Deposit Program
The Missouri Linked Deposit Program is managed by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel. Missouri-based small businesses with up to 99 employees and farmers are eligible to receive a loan through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program based on lender underwriting standards. Additionally, local governments, housing developments and alternative-energy focused projects may qualify for the low-interest loans. About 115 lenders with 350 branches throughout Missouri use the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. An extensive list of participating lenders and program eligibility guidelines are online at
www.treasurer.mo.gov/LinkedDeposit.

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