![]() The nonprofit gets its money from local banks and other funding sources, but Bridgeway accepts the risk by being the direct lender to the entrepreneur. ![]() What makes Bridgeway different from banks? "We serve low-income census tracts, and we saw that area as an opportunity for start-up financing that's hard to get from a traditional bank," King said. "It's a good group," King said.īridgeway saw potential in investing in the area and in the business owners. French Maids, 2425 Peach St., a home cleaning service owned by Gisele Littrell Dapper Don's Styling Lounge, 2527 Peach St., owned by Craig Heidlberg. Businesses that received loans include The Learning Ladder, a daycare center owned by Sean and Kenya Johnson in the former Forward Hall at 2502 Peach St. In Erie, the company specifically helped entrepreneurs in the area called Independence Hill. The name changed in 2008, and it now offers financing in 15 Pennsylvania counties. The company is a nonprofit headquartered in Pittsburgh and was originally founded in 1990 as the Community Loan Fund of Southwestern Pennsylvania. A Mercer native, King, 37, worked in banking before he joined Bridgeway. "We are in underserved markets and offer access to capital for entrepreneurs," King said. King, director of the Erie Region's office, says his office has been helping Erie entrepreneurs since 2012, but it's been helping businesses across the state for decades. One local organization that has helped people start businesses is Bridgeway Capital, 1001 State St. There are a lot of places to find funding. ![]() Now what? Where will you get the money to proceed? Shark Tank? Banks? What if they say no? ![]() You're an entrepreneur with a great idea. ![]()
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