North Central Massachusetts Development Corp Grants a Micro-Loan to Small Business in Worcester

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) recently granted a $20,000 micro-loan to Lauren and Zack Rohacik, owners of Steel Strength and Nutrition.   Steel Strength and Nutrition is a retail supplement store located at 458 Park Avenue in Worcester.  This business provides its customers affordable, high quality vitamins and minerals, herbal supplements, clean sports nutrition, meal replacements, and a limited selection of sports apparel and weight lifting equipment.  Zachary and Lauren have spent their entire adult lives as fitness enthusiasts, and competitive power lifters as well as coaches and sponsors of youth organizations, church groups and gyms.

This loan will assist with the purchase of inventory, as well as marketing and other costs associated with starting the new business. The loan was a referral from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clark University.  SBDC also assisted Lauren and Zack with a business plan and financial package.

As a microloan lender, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation can provide loans to small businesses up to $150,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, expansion and can work with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.