Small Business and Entrepreneurship

SERCAP ELI Program

Communities large and small are fueled by the drive of small business owners. SERCAP knows the important role small business owners play in local communities and is proud to deliver programs to support small business owners’ unique needs.

SERCAP has partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative (ELI) to bring the SERCAP ELI Program to residents living in rural communities throughout the Southeast United States. SERCAP's ELI Program is a 4-8 week development training that provides participants with intensive coursework geared toward building an entrepreneurial mindset. The curriculum covers a variety of concepts, including:

  • Power of Choice
  • Recognizing Opportunity
  • Ideas into Action
  • Pursuit of Knowledge
  • Creating Wealth
  • Building your Brand
  • Creating Community
  • Power of Persistence

ELI participants will gain knowledge, develop skills, and get connected to resources that will enable them to improve their own economic self-sufficiency and establish entrepreneurial opportunities in their communities. Upon completion of the program, participants receive an ELI Certificate and qualify for follow-up entrepreneurial services.

Ready to learn more? Contact SERCAP's ELI Program today!  To apply for the ELI program, please fill out the information below.

ELI Application

Please answer the following questions to assist us with your ELI Program application.

ELI Program Intake Questions

Small Business Loan Program

SERCAP’s Small Business Loan Program delivers loans to small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to expand an existing business that primarily serves a rural population. SERCAP’s Small Business Loan product has an interest rate of prime + 200 basis points and can be used for working capital, inventory, property renovation, and financial management systems.

SERCAP’s Small Business Loan Program focuses on serving existing businesses looking to grow or expand. If you participate in and graduate from SERCAP’s ELI Entrepreneurship Program, the existing business requirement will be waived and entrepreneurs can qualify for SERCAP’s Small Business Loan Product to start a new business. For an application, please contact SERCAP's Small Business Loan Manager, Lois Miller at lmiller@sercap.org

Small Business Loan Application