1. New Mexico SEEDLOANS SEED = Self Employment for Entrepreneurs With Disabilities

2. Partnering With VR In New Mexico

3. VR Staff Members Serve On The Technology Council

4. NM SEEDLOANS Program Personnel 1) Market program directly to VR Area offices 2) Orient VR counselors on NMSEEDLoans 3) Send email updates 4) Make personal appearances at regional meetings to keep them up-to-date

5. NM SEEDLoans Works with potential loan clients and refers them to VR when appropriate Three out of last five loans have been made to people with VR connections (active client, former VR client, spouse who is client) Has an advantage because NM DVR has a self-employment focus

6. Talking Points To Promote Loan Program to VR -Helps borrowers build credit and can improve client’s credit rating - Very low rates of interest (currently 2.25%) -VR funds can be leveraged with NM SEEDLoan funds to pay for business expenses -Allows VR counselor to purchase other services that might be needed (and also to serve more clients) -Provides more supports so clients may not need to return to VR when business problems arise

7. Road Blocks -VR clients would prefer to receive free money (VR grant) compared to taking out a loan and having to pay it back -Some VR -Some VR Counselors interested in outside services only if they are easy to access and will make their job easier -Counselors do not believe that clients can afford loan- even a $50 loan payment for equipment that would make the client money. -Easier for Counselor to just buy the business equipment outright than work with NM SEEDLoan Program

8. www.nmseedloans.org 800-866-2253 Program Director: andy.winnegar@state.nm.us andy.winnegar@state.nm.us Loan Council Member: charlenechavez@state.nm.us charlenechavez@state.nm.us Marketing Consultant: ktjnorton@comcast.net ktjnorton@comcast.net