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Wells Fargo Donates $15,000 to Support Small Businesses in Pasco County like this one show how the Microloan Program has directly impacted communities. “The SMARTstart Microloan Program gives businesses an opportunity to get started when they may not have the funds to do so. This program is one of the many programs SMARTstart offers to the community and we thank Wells Fargo for their continued support. This donation shows the organization’s involvement in continuing to grow our local Pasco entrepreneur ecosystem,” stated Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC President/CEO. Over the lifetime of the Microloan Program, there have been 64 microloans awarded totaling nearThe SMARTstart Microloan Program gives local ly $2 million to local businesses with an average entrepreneurs a chance to get their business up loan of $31,163. Microloan Program applicants and running. must be for-profit companies located in Pasco County. Proceeds may be used for working capThe Pasco EDC is thrilled to announce a $15,000 ital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, madonation from the Wells Fargo Foundation to the chinery, and equipment, but not to purchase real SMARTstart Microloan Program. Wells Fargo has estate or to refinance existing debt. If your busisupported the microloan program for years, doness is interested in learning more about or maknating $198,000 total. The fund provides financial ing a donation to the Microloan Program, visit assistance to Pasco residents who are looking to www.smartstartpasco.com or contact Dan Mitchstart or grow their business. ell, the SMARTstart Program Director, at dmitchell@pascoedc.com or 352-437-4861. Also, stay up “We are excited to continue our partnership with to date with Dang Good Sushi online at, www. the Pasco EDC to support local entrepreneurs facebook.com/danggoodsushi. who are essential to the fabric of our communities. The development and growth of small businesses is an integral part of why we remain focused on providing opportunities through financial education and philanthropic contributions,” stated J. Bradley Smith, Wells Fargo Pasco East district manager and a member of the Pasco EDC Board of Directors. Recently, SMARTstart microloan recipients, Ashley and Patrick Dang, hosted the grand opening of their new restaurant in April, adding a physical location to their Dang Good Sushi food truck business. “The Pasco EDC program helped our family achieve our dreams of owning our own storefront,” shared the Dang Family. “We are your average American family that started our business in the middle of a pandemic and at the same time, the economy was taking a hit. Now we own a very successful restaurant and food truck in Trinity. Thank you, Pasco EDC for helping make our dreams come true.” Success stories
