- Develops an ongoing marketing program to attract commercial and industrial development - Initiative Foundation Program: A number of financial loan programs are available from the Initiative Foundation to assist businesses with gap financing - Minnesota Community Capital Program: Businesses located within the service territory of East Central Energy can borrow up to 1.5 million with the support of East Central Energy and Great River Energy - Minnesota Job Skills Partnership: Competitive application program to assist with customized worker training; training is provided at the business site by qualified trainers from a state college - Minnesota Investment Fund: Loan funds are available from the Department of Employment and Economic Development through the City of North Branch.; amount based upon the number of jobs created or retained and wages paid - North Branch Revolving Loan Fund: Provides a low-interest, short-term gap loan to assist in financing of projects of special interest to the City - Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans: Commercial banks can assist in applying for funds from the SBA for 504 and or 7A programs Workforce Development Assistance - Small Business Development Center: One-on-one counseling and assistance with business planning, financial projects, marketing, etc. - Works to attract new industries that bring an enhanced tax base, jobs and new capital into the community