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SUNDAY • JUNE 26 • 2011
DOWN TO BUSINESS Loan program makes startup, expansion possible for entrepreneurs
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‘Town-gown’ issues not unique By George Diepenbrock
By Shaun Hittle
gdiepenbrock@ljworld.com sdhittle@ljworld.com
Growing up in Lawrence and now serving as a city commissioner, Hugh Carter often hears about issues in Lawrence’s older neighborhoods, which now are heavily populated with students near the Kansas University campus. Among complaints: Noisy late-night parties, alcohol and underage drinking, and other nuisances. But after attending a recent conference in Boulder, Colo., about “towngown” relations, he’s trying to process lots of ideas from other communities that are home to major universities and are working — or have already done lots of work — on the same issues. “The main thing is virtually none of these issues are as unique as they may feel,” Carter said. And they are often cyclical. Every year
When Eangee Inc. co-owner Chris Godfrey and his business partners wanted to expand their downtown home furnishing store into a wholesale distributor, they needed money. “We were desperate to get inventory in,” said Godfrey. But as a small business, they didn’t have the capital. That’s when Godfrey received help from an SBA 7(a) loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The $137,000 loan helped Eangee expand into a warehouse at 1380 N. Third St. in North Lawrence, where the company now ships specialty, eco-friendly lamps and other home goods across the country. Eangee was able to pay the loan back, and Godfrey said his business has been expanding. “Without the loan, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said. Since the 1960s, SBA loans have helped hundreds of Lawrence businesses start up or expand — everything from quirky downtown retailers to high-tech software companies. “I can drive down any street in Lawrence and see at least one business that wouldn’t be there without an SBA loan,” said Tim Metz, vice president of loan services at Douglas County Bank. SBA loans work like this: A business applies for a loan from a bank. If the business lacks investors or startup capital, the bank can help
Please see CITY, page 5A
Take a look, it’s in a Nook ———
Please see LOANS, page 5A
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
CHRIS GODFREY, A CO-OWNER OF EANGEE, at 1380 N. Third St., packs some lamps for shipment. Eangee received a small-business loan to help the lamp and home furnishings company grow.
LOANS IN LAWRENCE Top business categories to receive SBA 7(a) loans in Lawrence: ● Retail stores (clothing, sporting goods, jewelry, etc.): 131 ● Restaurants: 51 ● Construction: 25 ● Automotive repair: 16 ● Computers/software: 16 ● Manufacturing: 14 ● Gyms/fitness centers: 13 ● Salons/barber shops: 11 ● Wireless communication: 11 Source: Investigative Reporters and Editors. Businesses categorized by the Journal-World. For more statistics and graphics, visit LJWorld.com
The success of SBA loans in Lawrence shows the area provides a good atmosphere for startups and expanding businesses looking to utilize SBA 7(a) loans, said Neida Heusinkvelt, assistant district director for the SBA’s Kansas City District office.
MORE AT LJWORLD.COM ● See a Google map of businesses in
By Mark Fagan mfagan@ljworld.com
The Lawrence school board is about to lose a majority of its members, their terms ending after four, eight, even 20 years of service. Heading into their final meeting — set for 7 p.m. Monday at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive — here are some parting thoughts from Mary Loveland, Marlene Merrill, Rich Minder and Scott Morgan.
Mary Loveland Service: 1987-2003; 2007-11 ● Biggest accomplishment: “Finally convincing Lawrence we needed a second high school,” she said of voters approving a bond to finance construction of Free State High School, which opened in 1997. “I’m not saying that I did it. It was the biggest accomplishment of the Board of Education. I was definitely on the pro-second-high-school side. “A very close second, or maybe
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Today’s forecast, page 12A
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Please see BOARD, page 2A
Please see LIBRARY, page 2A
● Read a document with more information about the loans
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INSIDE
Isolated storms
By Joe Preiner
elementary schools is important for the educational program — so we can afford the educational program that Lawrence kids, families and parents all expect,” she said. Art, music and other “specials” teachers at smaller schools often must split their days between schools, something that can be alleviated by having schools large enough to have enough “specials” each day, in one place. “You’re paying professional
● View charts that break down use of the SBA loans in Lawrence
a tie, would be the move to fouryear high schools and (switching junior highs to) middle schools. I really think that’s really important for the education of our kids.” Loveland ● Biggest regret: “The fact that we still don’t have people understanding why more consistency in the size of our
Various e-readers coming to library, but not for checkout Susan Brown said it’s one of the most frequently asked questions at the Lawrence Public Library: “Which ereader should I get?” Thanks to a grant from the Praxair Foundation, the local library is getting ready to help patrons answer that quesThere are tion. The grant, which helps libraries all these upgrade their tech- people who nology, allows for the purchase of a variety are hot and of e-readers and bothered other high-tech toys. about the Brown, the issue. But library’s marketing director, said the they’re hot technology toolbox- and bothered es, as they’ll be about reading. called, will contain iPads, Nooks, Kin- It’s great.” dles and Sony Readers as well as MP3 — Susan Brown, players, digital cam- marketing director eras and GPS for Lawrence Public devices. Library “It gets the public more prepared and comfortable with the technology,” said Kelly Fann, IT coordinator for the library. Visitors to the library will be able to handle the devices and get a feel for what they’re like, though they won’t be able to
Lawrence who have used an SBA loan
School board members share departing thoughts
High: 91
Lawrence studies university relations in other cities
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COMING MONDAY Just how much electricity is used by that lamp you leave on eight hours a day? We’ll give you the skinny on energy usage.
Vol.153/No.177 58 pages
Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org
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