Native American Bank Makes DOT Loan to Asian American Company

Native American Bank approves a line of credit under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Short Term Lending Program to J. Harper Contractors, an Asian American company located in Maple Valley, Washington.

DENVER, CO March 4, 2004 -- Native American Bank recently partnered with J. Harper Contractors, Inc., an Asian American company, for a line of credit under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Short Term Lending Program.

J. Harper Contractors, Inc. is a minority owned demolition contractor located in Maple Valley, Washington. Owned by Stan Kawamoto, the company has been in business for 13 years in the State of Washington and recently expanded into Oregon.         

According to Mr. Kawamoto, start-up costs and retentions on any given project impaired cash flow for the company. At a small business conference in Tacoma, he learned that the U.S. Department of Transportation has a short term lending and bonding assistance program available for transportation projects. Native American Bank has been named to serve as one of the six Short Term Lending Program banks, which offer lines of credit to disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs), allowing them to successfully compete for U.S. Department of Transportation contracts.

"What this means to Native Americans and other minority populations," said Pam Nesius, NAB Vice President, "is the opportunity to open a maximum credit line of $750,000 to meet the short-term costs of a contract with the Department of Transportation.

Mr. Kawamoto met with Ms. Nesius to discuss the program after talking to Alan M. Collinge with the William M. Factory Small Business Incubator in Tacoma.

Through a cooperative agreement with the DOT, NAB serves fifteen states forming the Northern Plains and Southwest United States, including Washington, Oregon, Montana, The Dakotas, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and California.

"Along with other banking services, we welcome business owners of all minority populations to take advantage of our services and assistance in obtaining Short Term Lending Program loans," said Ms. Nesius.

Mr. Kawamoto states that the company will utilize the line of credit on a Sound Transit Project in Federal Way and plans to apply for funds to support a transportation project in Ferndale, Washington.

"We've had a very positive experience with Native American Bank," said Mr. Kawamoto. Other businesses should take the time to look into this program. It's a great opportunity to maintain cash flow."

For more information on Native American Bank and the Short Term Lending Program , call 303-988-2727.

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