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SHVF Dec e-News Brief

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      size=5><FONT 
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      size=5>Self-Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief</FONT></FONT></TD>
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          <TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #ffffff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#ffffff 
            size=3>Self-Help SBA 504 Program</FONT></TD>
          <TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #ffffff; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#ffffff 
            size=3>December 2006</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR>
  <TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px" vAlign=top align=left>
      <TABLE style="FLOAT: right" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=215 
border=0>
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          <TD width=5><IMG height=15 
            src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
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          <TD align=left><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #ffffff; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" 
            face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#ffffff 
            size=2>In This Issue: 
            <LI style="MARGIN-LEFT: 12pt; COLOR: #ffcc00; TEXT-INDENT: -12pt" 
            color="#FFCC00"><A style="COLOR: #ffffff" 
            href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jung/Desktop/New%20HTML%20Document.html#article1" 
            shape=rect color="#FFFFFF">Current 504 Loan Rates</A> 
            <LI style="MARGIN-LEFT: 12pt; COLOR: #ffcc00; TEXT-INDENT: -12pt" 
            color="#FFCC00"><A style="COLOR: #ffffff" 
            href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jung/Desktop/New%20HTML%20Document.html#article2" 
            shape=rect color="#FFFFFF">Save the Date: NCBA / SBA Lenders' 
            Conference</A> 
            <LI style="MARGIN-LEFT: 12pt; COLOR: #ffcc00; TEXT-INDENT: -12pt" 
            color="#FFCC00"><A style="COLOR: #ffffff" 
            href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jung/Desktop/New%20HTML%20Document.html#article4" 
            shape=rect color="#FFFFFF">Lenders Spotlight: November Approvals</A>
            <LI style="MARGIN-LEFT: 12pt; COLOR: #ffcc00; TEXT-INDENT: -12pt" 
            color="#FFCC00"><A style="COLOR: #ffffff" 
            href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jung/Desktop/New%20HTML%20Document.html#article6" 
            shape=rect color="#FFFFFF">Borrower Success Story: Ashtae Products 
            Inc.</A>
            <LI style="MARGIN-LEFT: 12pt; COLOR: #ffcc00; TEXT-INDENT: -12pt" 
            color="#FFCC00"><A style="COLOR: #ffffff" 
            href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jung/Desktop/New%20HTML%20Document.html#article7" 
            shape=rect color="#FFFFFF">Contact Us</A> 
            <P></FONT></P></LI></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><FONT 
      style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 size=2>
      <P style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></P>
      <P>This is Self-Help's electronic news brief for lenders. Each month we 
      deliver current SBA 504 loan rates and share information that can benefit 
      you and your small business customers. </P>
      <P>For an explanation of the SBA 504 program, please visit the 504 section 
      of Self-Help's website at <A 
      href="http://www.self-help.org/504loans">http://www.self-help.org/504loans</A>. 
      </P>
      <P>As always, we thank you for your support - and look forward to working 
      with you to provide 504 financing for North Carolina's growing small 
      businesses. </P><BR>Jim Overton <BR>Director of SBA 504 Lending </FONT>
      <P></P>
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                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" width=15 
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                  width=15 border=0></TD>
                <TD width=5><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=5 border=0></TD>
                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffcc00" width=15 
                  bgColor=#ffcc00><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></A></TD>
          <TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=bottom width="100%"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; COLOR: #000066; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000066 
            size=3>Current 504 Loan Rates</FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" bgColor=#000066>
          <TD colSpan=2><IMG height=2 
            src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
            width=5 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px"><FONT 
      style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 size=2>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px">
      <P><B>6.09%</B> fixed for 20 years for real estate projects, including 
      acquisition, new construction and major renovation. </P>
      <P><B>6.73%</B> fixed for 10 years for equipment and machinery. </P>
      <P>(Rate as of December 5th, 2006) </P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
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      <P></P>
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                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" width=15 
                  bgColor=#000066><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD>
                <TD width=5><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=5 border=0></TD>
                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffcc00" width=15 
                  bgColor=#ffcc00><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></A></TD>
          <TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=bottom width="100%"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; COLOR: #000066; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000066 
            size=3>Save the Date: NCBA / SBA Lenders' Conference</FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" bgColor=#000066>
          <TD colSpan=2><IMG height=2 
            src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
            width=5 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px"><FONT 
      style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 size=2>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px">
      <P>The North Carolina Banker's Association will host an SBA Lender's 
      Conference Tues. and Wed., <B>Feb. 27 and 28</B>, at the downtown 
      Greensboro Marriott. This is a great opportunity learn how SBA programs 
      can benefit your small businesses and to network with other SBA lenders 
      and Self-Help officers. Details to follow soon, or visit <A 
      href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=qzxgx9bab.0.0.6a6fftbab.0&amp;ts=S0221&amp;p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbankers.org%2Fevents">http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=qzxgx9bab.0.0.6a6fftbab.0&amp;ts=S0221&amp;p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbankers.org%2Fevents</A>. 
      </P>
      <P>We look forward to seeing you there! </P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
      <DIV style="CLEAR: both"><IMG style="CLEAR: both" height=1 
      src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
      width=1></DIV>
      <P></P>
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              <TR>
                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" width=15 
                  bgColor=#000066><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD>
                <TD width=5><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=5 border=0></TD>
                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffcc00" width=15 
                  bgColor=#ffcc00><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></A></TD>
          <TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=bottom width="100%"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; COLOR: #000066; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000066 
            size=3>Lenders Spotlight: November Approvals</FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" bgColor=#000066>
          <TD colSpan=2><IMG height=2 
            src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
            width=5 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px"><FONT 
      style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 size=2>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px">
      <P><FONT 
      style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 
      size=2><B><I>Thank you for making November a stellar month! You helped 
      fund $20,718,935 in projects! </I></B></FONT></P>
      <P>
      <TABLE border=0>
        <TBODY>
        <TR>
          <TD><B><FONT size=-1>LENDER </B></FONT></TD>
          <TD><B><FONT size=-1>LOCATION </B></FONT></TD>
          <TD><B><FONT size=-1>INDUSTRY </B></FONT></TD>
          <TD><B><FONT size=-1>PROJECT AMOUNT </B></FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Capital Bank </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Raleigh </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Food, Beverage &amp; Entertainment </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>$3,600,000 </FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>First Citizens </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Charlotte </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Wholesale Home Fashions &amp; Nondurable Goods 
            </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>$548,000 </FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>GE Capital</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Raleigh </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Information Technology Services</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>$865,000</FONT></TD></FONT></TR>
        <TR>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Harrington Bank </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Southern Pines </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Historic Inn &amp; Tavern </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>$2,580,000</FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Wachovia</FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>High Point </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Barber School </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>$3,089,000 </FONT></TD></FONT></TR>
        <TR>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Zions First National Bank </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Durham </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>Luxury Hotel </FONT></TD>
          <TD><FONT size=-1>$10,036,935 
      </FONT></TD></FONT></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
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      src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
      width=1></DIV>
      <P></P>
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                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" width=15 
                  bgColor=#000066><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD>
                <TD width=5><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=5 border=0></TD>
                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffcc00" width=15 
                  bgColor=#ffcc00><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></A></TD>
          <TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=bottom width="100%"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; COLOR: #000066; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000066 
            size=3>Borrower Success Story: Ashtae Products Inc.</FONT></TD></TR>
        <TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" bgColor=#000066>
          <TD colSpan=2><IMG height=2 
            src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
            width=5 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px"><FONT 
      style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 
      size=2><IMG height=157 hspace=5 
      src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/17.jpeg" 
      width=105 align=left vspace=5 border=0> 
      <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px">
      <P><B>Lending Partner:</B> Bank of North Carolina (formerly SterlingSouth 
      Bank &amp; Trust Company)<BR><B>Location:</B> 
      Greensboro<BR><B>Company:</B> Ashtae Products Inc.<BR><B>Project:</B> 
      Purchase of 46,000 square-foot headquarters building; $1,327,000 total 
      project cost <BR><B>Community Impact:</B> African-American owned, 10 jobs 
      created </P>
      <P>Michael and Ramona Woods, who have been married for more than 15 years 
      and in business together over 10 years, are the President/CEO and CFO 
      respectively of Ashtae Products, Inc., a multicultural hair-care 
      distribution company headquartered in Greensboro. They launched Ashtae 
      Products in 1995 by taking out an SBA loan, a mortgage on their house and 
      even borrowing from loyal customers. </P>
      <P>They’ve grown tremendously since then, doubling sales each of the 
      company’s first three years, and in March were named the 2006 SBA Minority 
      Small Business Champions of the year. The award recognizes the Woods' for 
      their efforts to "Advance minority small business interests and improve 
      economic conditions in the minority small business community." The 
      previous year, the Woods won the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Minority 
      Small Business Persons of the Year award. </P>
      <P>In April this year, Ashtae Products was approved for an SBA 504 loan 
      for $530,800 in partnership with Self-Help and Bank of North Carolina 
      (formerly SterlingSouth Bank) in order to purchase a building on Eugene 
      St. just south of downtown Greensboro to help double its capacity. In 2005 
      its sales were $5,000,000 and now that is slated to double as well, with 
      $10,000,000 in projected sales over the next five years. Last year alone, 
      Ashtae expanded its network from 11 to 17 distributors and has entered 
      many new markets, including Japan, Jamaica, Canada, England and the 
      Caribbean. </P>
      <P>"Working with the bank and with Self-Help was a simple process," says 
      Ramona. "Although there was lots of paperwork, the process itself was easy 
      and we liked the low rate and the fact that the loan was fixed over 20 
      years. If you would have caught us seven years ago, the loan process may 
      have been different and riskier, but we are a sound, profitable business 
      with substantial savings, which is a refreshing place to be." </P>
      <P>The new 46,000 square-feet building houses offices and a warehouse, 
      with 24,000 square feet serving as its for-profit minority-focused 
      small-business incubator. Most of the 20-30 participating businesses 
      specialize in consumer products or cosmetics and cosmetology, in synch 
      with Ashtae Product's core competencies. Prior to creating the incubator, 
      the Woods had been holding business development classes for many of its 
      customers. </P>
      <P>Ashtae Products faces fierce competition in an industry dominated by 
      big brands, but is using its in-depth customer knowledge to create 
      innovative products like hair wax that works in hot or cold settings, for 
      example, to prevail. They're also implementing strong new business 
      tactics, like allowing clients to order only one week's worth of product 
      so they don't tie up cash in inventory. </P>
      <P>Two years ago Ramona and Michael published <I>Against the Grain</I>, a 
      book inspired by their clients and own personal experiences. Ashtae means 
      "the power of positive thought" in Nigerian and matches their two 
      daughters' names, Ashley and Taylore. </P>
      <P>In addition to running their operations and business incubator, 
      management offers International Hair &amp; Business Symposiums. These 
      events give cosmetologists the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. 
      Symposiums in places like Atlanta and Buffalo have been huge successes. 
      </P>
      <P>One fellow stylist and customer says of Ramona and Michael, "They 
      started out at the bottom, but they show they care about their customers. 
      I see that they're going to go higher." </P>
      <P>For more information about Ashtae Products Inc., visit <A 
      href="http://www.ashtae.com">http://www.ashtae.com</A>. 
      </P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
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                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000066" width=15 
                  bgColor=#000066><IMG height=15 
                  src="Self Help Ventures Fund December e-News Brief_files/spacer.gif" 
                  width=15 border=0></TD>
                <TD width=5><IMG height=15 
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                  width=5 border=0></TD>
                <TD style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffcc00" width=15 
                  bgColor=#ffcc00><IMG height=15 
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                  width=15 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></A></TD>
          <TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" vAlign=bottom width="100%"><FONT 
            style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; COLOR: #000066; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
            face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000066 
            size=3>Contact Us</FONT></TD></TR>
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          <TD colSpan=2><IMG height=2 
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      style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" 
      face="'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" color=#000000 size=2>
      <DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px">
      <P>Call the Self-Help loan officer nearest you to discuss a project or 
      learn more about how you can use an SBA 504 loan to help your small 
      business customers with expansion needs. </P>
      <P><B>Charlotte Region:</B> <A 
      href="mailto:dale.harrold@self-help.org">Dale Harrold</A>and <A 
      href="mailto:ralph.ansell@self-help.org">Ralph Ansell</A>, Self-Help, 
      Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte, NC 
      28204 * 800-394-7428 </P>
      <P><B>Fayetteville Region:</B> <A 
      href="mailto:allen.cofiori@self-help.org">Allen Cofiori</A>, Self-Help, 
      100 Hay St., Suite 300, Fayetteville, NC 28301 * 800-774-7966 </P>
      <P><B>Northeastern NC Region:</B> <A 
      href="mailto:gerry.blood@self-help.org">Gerry Blood</A>, Self-Help, 301 
      South Evans St., Suite 306, Greenville, NC 27858 * 800-893-9669 </P>
      <P><B>Southeastern NC Region:</B> <A 
      href="mailto:louis.rogers@self-help.org">Louis Rogers</A>, Self-Help, 272 
      N. Front St., Suite 215, Wilmington, NC 28401 * 877-559-4284 </P>
      <P><B>Triad/Greensboro Office:</B> <A 
      href="mailto:anna.tefft@self-help.org">Anna Tefft</A>, Self-Help, 122 N. 
      Elm St., Suite 1015, Greensboro, NC 27401 * 800-269-7426 </P>
      <P><B>Triad/Winston-Salem Office:</B> <A 
      href="mailto:anna.tefft@self-help.org">Anna Tefft</A>, 500 West Fourth 
      Street, Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 * 800-269-7426 </P>
      <P><B>Triangle Region:</B> <A href="mailto:joe.osowski@self-help.org">Joe 
      Osowski</A>, Self-Help, 301 W. Main St., PO Box 3619, Durham, NC 27702 * 
      800-476-7428 </P>
      <P><B>Western NC Region:</B> <A href="mailto:tom.byers@self-help.org">Tom 
      Byers</A>, Self-Help, 34 Wall St., Suite 704, Asheville, NC 28801 * 
      800-229-7428 </P>
      <P>Contact our <B>SBA 504 Program Director</B>, <A 
      href="mailto:jim.overton@self-help.org">Jim Overton</A>, at 919-956-4473. 
      </P>
      <P>Or contact our <B>SBA 504 Marketing Officer</B>, <A 
      href="mailto:jamie.miyares@self-help.org">Jamie Miyares</A>, at 
      919-956-4670. </P></DIV></FONT></DIV>
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      <DIV>Email : <A style="COLOR: #000000" 
      href="mailto:504loans@self-help.org" shape=rect 
      color="#000000">504loans@self-help.org</A> </DIV>
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