Blaine Lake Economic Development Co-operative has been an active small Business Loan Association in the Blaine Lake area since its inception in 1989.
Gerald Evin owns and operates GRE Enterprises Inc., and is one of the most recent recipients of a loan from BLEDCO.
"I was trucking in the Blaine Lake area and saw the sign on the sign corridor near Blaine Lake," explained Gerald during a recent interview. "The organization was very obliging and professional."
Evin purchased a flat deck trailer to transport his equipment complementing his already existing business. Evin is a heavy equipment operator by trade and chose to operate his excavating contracting business as a fulltime operation. GRE Enterprises Inc. offers trucking, excavating and custom grading services, as well as road building services and digging of basements.
"I required a helping hand to expand my business and it is reassuring to know that there is an organization that a business owner can go to for a small loan," explained Gerald.
Evin and his wife, Beverly, also operate Dalmeny Storage Services Inc. located along Highway 305 on the Dalmeny town limits.
Blaine Lake Economic Development Co-operative was established in 1989. Current directors include Bill Nemish, Bob Burletoff, Keith Woytiuk, Anne Sitter, Laurie Cheveldayoff, Vivian Nemish, Lorne Popov, Brian Verbonac, John Serhienko and administrator Pam Lavoie. BLEDCO is accepting applications for loans up to a maximum of $15,000 for new or existing businesses. Application forms and information can be obtained by contacting Pam or one of the directors.
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. Thousands of small businesses have been assisted, and hundreds of SBLA have been formed, since the program's inception in 1989. 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.
The SBLA funding has initiated significant growth in the province and is an example if what can be achieved when the government and communities work in partnership. The assistance SBLAs provide, plays an important part in building our rural economy, creating jobs and keeping our communities healthy and strong.
