Helps low-income people to start and grow small businesses by offering -  Business training -  Small business loans -  Peer support and   -  Technical assistance Borrowers must   -  Attend an eight week business readiness course providing instruction on basic business planning, accounting, budgeting and marketing.   -  Form business groups of 4-6 members in order to be awarded loans starting at $1,000 and ranging, in time, up to $35,000.   -  Keep current on loan repayments.   On-going technical assistance is provided by a business resource network of professionals from the local business community.   In addition, a business resource network member will be assigned to each group to guide and support them.   Offers classes in Spanish, and possibly other languages.