September 15

Economic Development Finance Concepts
This session provides economic developers with insight into the obstacles small business owners face in finding affordable expansion financing. Participants are give an overview of business financing needs and available financing options. The role of public agencies in complementing bank financing is also explored.

Lunch on your own

Introduction to Business Credit Analysis
How does a bank determine whether a business is creditworthy? This session details the credit analysis procedures banks use in making loan decisions. Participants investigate two business financial statements: the balance sheet and the profit-and-loss statement.

The Balance Sheet
Where's the cash? Participants learn about the accounts on the balance sheet in order to analyze how a company used its cash. Assets, liabilities and net worth accounts will be defined and explained during this session.

Homework Assignment
The evening in-class "homework" session will consist of case studies of actual businesses. Participants will learn how to spread financial statements and perform credit analysis on operating businesses. This is the first step in determining whether the business is creditworthy and can repay an expansion loan.

September 16

The Profit & Loss Statement
The profit and loss statement is used to determine how well a company buys and sells to make a profit.

Quality Indicators
This session continues the hands-on approach to making credit decisions about small businesses. Participants learn about various financial tools, known as quality indicators, which are used to analyze a company's creditworthiness.

Case Studies
Participants will utilize the credit analysis performed on Monday night to make decisions about an operating business. Students will learn how to determine if the company pays it suppliers on time, collects its receivables, and controls costs to make a profit.

Lunch on your own

Economic Development Financing Programs
Participants learn how the programs can be used to finance businesses in their communities. Understanding the programs' requirements will enable participants to increase the use and availability in their communities. Participants use the program information learned to structure deals for small businesses that combine public and private-sector financing.

Structuring the Loan
The case studies completed earlier are continued this afternoon. Participants will structure financing for the company for the expansion project, using adjusted cash flow and public and private sources of funding.

Homework Assignment
The evening homework builds on the skills developed through Monday's and Tuesday's sessions. Participants will underwrite a loan for an operating business, by spreading historical financial statements, reviewing the quality indicators and structuring a loan that the company can afford using public and private financing sources.

September 17

Developer Real Estate Financing
This session covers the motivation and requirements of real estate developers. Communities can influence the development process by providing financial incentives. Understanding developer requirements for minimizing risk and maximizing return, as well as the lending requirements of commercial banks, will help participants make informed decisions when providing financial incentives on real estate development projects.

Lunch on your own

Economic Development Financing Programs
Financing programs that influence real estate development projects are reviewed. Other federal, provincial and local financing programs are also explored. This session concludes with a real estate development case study, in which participants determine the amount of public assistance needed for a project to move forward.

* Agenda subject to change

**PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive full IEDC certification credit for this course and a certificate indicating course completion, participants must attend the entire course and stay through the final session on the last day. Please make travel plans accordingly.**