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banking fiscal year and this fiscal year is also going well, says executive director Cindy Esterling. "There is a lot of demand right now, especially in manufacturing, which is good, since that helps drive jobs in other industries, too," she says. Sheffler says business owners sometimes don't realize they qualify for an SBA loan. "People think it's only for a certain industry or sector, but service providers and professional firms can get them just as well as manufacturers and retailers. And don't be taken aback by the word 'small.' Some manufacturers have 500 employees and are still eligible. The key is to find a lender who knows the programs and can work with you to get the funding you need," he says. "Most people don't come in asking for a government-backed loan. They just want more credit and it's up to the banker to work with them on finding a program that best fits their needs." "It used to be that if the economics didn't look good, but you knew the person or the local situation, you could still go ahead and rely on your opinion to make that loan. There are deals that I can't make today that I used to be able to make." –Peter Prickett, CEO of First National B ank-Fox Valley Regulations, however, dictate a great deal about who qualifies for an SBA loan and who doesn't, says Peter Prickett, CEO of First National BankFox Valley, which was recognized by the SBA as the top lender in its class for the 2011 federal fiscal year. "They have a formula set up and you need to fit within it. A lot of our judgment has been taken away," he says. "It used to be that if the economics didn't look good, but you knew the person or the local situation, you could still go ahead and rely on your opinion to make that loan. There are deals that I can't make today that I used to be able to make." Borrowing became tougher across the board following the 2008 financial meltdown. In 2010 as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the SBA increased its limits for loans from $2 million to $5 million. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs think that getting funding will be too difficult so some don't even approach a bank, Prickett says. "Our demand is down in 2012 "The Sign of Success!" EXPERIENCE - QUALITY - AFFORDABLE Quality and expertise matter. So does cost. Let NEWisconsin MRI Center help you and your employees reduce healthcare costs, by providing high-quality, affordable MRIs. Be a smart healthcare consumer. Your MRI provider is your choice. Green Bay | 800-353-4674 | www.newmri.com Like us on facebook 32 | Insight • D e c e m b e r 2 012 FOR LEASE Perfect Corporate Headquarters •Class"A"building •31,000sq.ft. •Auditorium •Boardroom •Cafeteria •Fitnessarea •Neardowntown Appletonand LawrenceUniversity DeWitt Londre LLC Commercial www.dewittlondre.com • (920) 659-0846 w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m