Small business development is important in rural areas of our nation, where access to employment opportunities are limited and where jobs pay less.

Microbusinesses (businesses with 10 or fewer employees) provide all or most of the income for many rural households. In our home state of Nebraska, self-employment provides up to 90% of all jobs in most rural counties. For others, it is part of a patching strategy to make ends meet.

However, access to capital is a challenge for many rural business owners. When traditional bank financing isn't an option, entrepreneurs turn to financial intermedia...