Clean energy funds sought for Ohio equipment-makers
Dayton Daily News – WASHINGTON — One day after the federal government reported a steep drop in bank lending, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said he would press for a vote on a bill that would funnel federal loans to small companies that produce clean energy equipment.
In a conference call Wednesday, Feb. 24, with Ohio reporters, Brown, D-Ohio, said, “Small business owners all over this state are telling me they need access to capital. They have the capacity, they have the customers, they can expand their businesses, but they can’t get capital.’’
Joining Brown on the call, David Winch, executive vice president of the Minster Machine Company in Auglaize County, said the measure could provide a boost to small companies, saying that “it’s a challenge for people to get access to capital, particularly in recessions.’’
Brown’s bill would allow small companies producing clean energy equipment to borrow money from a $30 billion federal fund. Minster manufactures parts that are supplied to companies that build wind turbines, which are used to produce clean wind energy.
