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TAHLEQUAH, OK – Entrepreneurs in northeastern Oklahoma may get a boost for their business from the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation has added $1.2 million to its small business lending program in order to assist in start-up or expanding small businesses within their jurisdictional boundaries. The money was made available to the Cherokee Nation, in part, from a $750,000 loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"The money is part of a re-lending program where we combine Cherokee Nation money with a loan from USDA to create a low interest loan fund to stimulate business development," said Anna Knight, director of the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center. "This is the second loan of this type the Cherokee Nation has received from USDA."

"We've helped open a mental health clinic, a back hoe company, a farming supply store, a food manufacturing plant, and various other businesses with our program," said Lahoma Simon, business counselor with the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center.

"We are pleased to partner once again with the Cherokee Nation," said Brent Kisling, USDA state director. "This way the money is spent locally, which is the best way to spend it."

"We are here to help people who are unable to get business funding from traditional lenders," Simon said. "We offer a variety of services to our clients including money management training, business plan assistance, market plan assistance, and business financing assistance, as well as continued technical support once the loan closes."

To apply for a small business loan or to inquire about any of the other small business services offered by the Cherokee Nation, contact the Cherokee Nation Small Business Assistance Center, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2536) or visit the Cherokee Nation web site.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org