Who We Are
VEDIC is a non-profit corporation organized by the Town of Valdese, North Carolina, to assist the Town of Valdese, Burke County and surrounding counties in the promotion, stimulation, development and advancement of business prosperity and economic welfare.
The objectives of this program include job creation, job retention, increasing economic opportunity and strengthening the region’s business sector by providing loan funds to local small businesses with VEDIC resources, as well as create partnerships with local banks and other private sector lenders.
Overmountain Cycles
VEDIC LOAN PROGRAM
VEDIC operates loan programs focused on helping entrepreneurs start businesses and existing businesses to expand. VEDIC bridges the gap for those businesses that need funding, but cannot qualify for a bank loan. It is our hope that through this loan program, businesses will prosper and become credit worthy for bank funding in the future.
Each business that VEDIC meets with is unique with various areas of need. It is our goal at VEDIC not only to help with the lending need, but to understand each clients business fully in order to align other resource partners that can provide assistance as well. We want your business to be a success.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Once we establish a loan, we meet regularly with our clients to monitor their progress. We identify needs that they may have that are preventing them from fulfilling their business plan while providing them with resources to address those needs. We believe this is an essential part of their success as a loan client and as a business owner.
Board of Directors and Staff Members
Executive Board
- Chairman - Tonia Stephenson
- Vice-Chairman - Marla Thompson
- Secretary - Jessica Bargsley
- Treasurer - Johnny Berry
VEDIC Staff
- Executive Director, Kerri Poteat
- Business Development, Eddie McGimsey
Board Members
Rick McClurd John Branstrom
Jessica Bargsley Suzanne Wallace
Butch McSwain Bryan Steen
Sharon Jablonski Robert (T.R.) Robinson
Scott Mulwee Crystal Reed
Karen Robinson Rick Justice
Gary Ogle Lily Laramie
Tonia Stephenson Johnny Berry
Marla Thompson William “Bill” Carroll
Sherry Long Donna Zamora
