FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Evan Haddad
Public Information Officer
ehaddad@goed.nv.gov 775-684-9973
July 27, 2026
Carson City, Nev. –The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), through its State Small Business Credit Initiative program, Battle Born Growth, has partnered with the Rural Nevada Development Corporation (RNDC), helping three rural Nevada businesses secure funding to support expansion, business continuity and economic growth in their communities.
The investments demonstrate how Battle Born Growth works with community lending partners to increase access to capital for small rural businesses that play a vital role in Nevada’s economy. By participating in loans alongside organizations such as RNDC, the program helps entrepreneurs and business owners obtain financing needed to grow, create jobs and strengthen local communities and industries.
“With Battle Born Growth, we aim to improve access to capital for Nevada’s small businesses and startups, and therefore it is vital that we are able to reach into any corner of the state,” said Karsten Heise, senior director of strategic programs and innovation at GOED and SSBCI state program manager. “We are only able to do so through collaborations with lenders that have the local knowledge and regional coverage, and in RNDC we have found the ideal partner to utilize the SSBCI program effectively for the benefit of our rural businesses that form the pillar of their communities.”
As a result of a recent modification to its Loan Participation Program component, Battle Born Growth has forged a close collaboration with RNDC to participate in loans to small businesses of up to $250,000.
“RNDC has proudly lent nearly $60 million to rural Nevada businesses since our inception,” said Mary Kerner, CEO of RNDC. “The Battle Born Growth program, administered by Nevada Battle Born Growth Escalator, Inc. (NBBGEI) on behalf of GOED, provides another valuable financing tool that complements our existing lending programs, allowing us to leverage additional capital and serve businesses that may otherwise face barriers to financing. By combining both GOED’s and NBBGEI’s resources with RNDC’s experience and long-standing relationships in rural communities, we’re able to help even more Nevada businesses succeed.”
Battle Born Growth participated in the following three recent loan transactions in rural Nevada:
- Silver State Exploration – Spring Creek
Silver State Exploration, a startup drilling contractor based in Spring Creek, received a loan to allow the company to purchase specialized equipment needed to fulfill new work and establish its operations in northeastern Nevada. The company provides drilling services to Nevada’s mining industry and recently secured a significant contract supporting mineral exploration activities.
- Owen Equipment and Truck Repair – Winnemucca Owen Equipment and Truck Repair, a Winnemucca-based business specializing in heavy equipment and truck repair, received a loan to help purchase additional equipment, allowing the business to expand its capabilities and meet growing demand. The company serves customers in agriculture, construction and wildland fire operations throughout northern Nevada.
- Coats Broadcasting (KDSS) – Ely Coats Broadcasting, owner of KDSS radio station in Ely, received a loan to allow the longtime community broadcaster to purchase the commercial building it has leased for years. The financing strengthens the business’s long-term stability while ensuring the station can continue serving residents with local news, emergency information and community programming.
“The U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative represents a transformational investment in America’s small businesses, and Nevada Battle Born Growth is proud to serve as the nonprofit organization that administers and facilitates Nevada’s SSBCI capital programs on behalf of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development,” said Mendy Elliot, CEO of NBBGEI. “By working with trusted lending partners such as the Rural Nevada Development Corporation, we help transform federal resources into financing opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Nevada. These investments strengthen rural communities, support local job creation, and ensure businesses have access to the capital they need to grow and succeed.”
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About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.
About the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a nearly $10 billion program to support small businesses and entrepreneurship in communities across the United States by providing capital and technical assistance to promote small business stability, growth, and success. SSBCI represents a transformational investment in American small businesses and is expected to catalyze up to $10 of private investment for every $1 of SSBCI Capital Program funding to increase access to capital to small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those in underserved communities. Nevada’s SSBCI Program, “Battle Born Growth,” is overseen by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).
Nevada Battle Born Growth Escalator, Inc. (NBBGEI)
A Nevada-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation created in 2016 by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to promote, aid and encourage economic development across the state. NBBGEI operates Nevada’s federal and State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, under contract from GOED, to support high growth startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and underserved entrepreneurs.