Many small, rural communities struggle to keep or grow local businesses. At the same time, many young people would like to remain in the community, but lack of job opportunities forces them to move to larger cities.

A lot of younger adults have business ideas, but lack the capitol to get started. That’s where micro lending can come in. Most banks aren’t interested in making risky, small business loans to rural startups unless the borrower has collateral and a long credit history, but Chris Merrett of the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University says there are lenders out there looking to help budding entrepreneurs.

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The institute has a USDA rural development grant designed to provide assistance to small, startup businesses in rural areas.

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If you have, or know someone with a good idea, but are in need of a little start up capitol, get in touch with the Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University in Macomb.