Micro-grant helps get Iraqi vet clinic started

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson | Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Carter, 2-20 Field Artillery Regiment, civil affairs non-commissioned officer in charge, signs the paperwork awarding a 5 million Iraqi dinar micro-grant to veterinarian Ahmed Salman Nimma at the Numaniyah mayor's office, May 9.  

AL KUT, IRAQ

05.14.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson 

Multi-National Division-South

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq — Economic growth for small businesses is hard enough to accomplish in an established free-market such as the United States, let alone a new democracy getting on its feet.

One of the tools available for small business owners in Iraq is the micro-grant, which a local veterinarian in Numaniyah is using to get his clinic up and running.

"I am grateful for this opportunity and am thankful to the coalition forces for the chance to get my clinic running so I can help the people of Numaniyah," said Ahmed Salman Nimma. He received a payment of 5 million Iraqi dinars from the 41st Fires Brigade's project purchasing officer.

"The micro-grants serve to build the economy as well as to help out the small businessmen that are out there," said 1st Lt. Stephanie Christopher, 41st Fires Bde., PPO. "Most of the commerce that is out there is small businesses, and the micro-grant is there to help build on that."

According to Christopher, the micro-grant process is similar to applying for a loan. Information validation is the responsibility of the civil affairs section at the battalion level, before the paperwork gets to the PPO.

"My role is to receive the information from the commanders, put the packet together, make sure it complies with the regulations, forward it and then it is presented to the brigade commander for approval," said Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Carter, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, civil affairs non-commissioned officer-in-charge. "Once it is authorized and approved, the brigade civil affairs office takes it from there."

Although the process and paperwork is a little complicated, a micro-grant can really jumpstart a small business. In the case of Amhed, the money will be used for major pieces of equipment to get his vet clinic started.

"With the micro-grant he is able to buy big, expensive pieces of equipment such as centrifuges, microscopes, vaccination guns, nitrogen coolers, vaccines, micro-centrifuges and an artificial insemination gun, all to help get his vet clinic started," said Christopher, of Plattsmouth, Neb.

"He was very grateful and this should be a big help," said Carter, of Laughton, Okla. "It will be enough money to take care of everything he asks for."

• Date Taken: 05.14.2009
• Date Posted: 05.14.2009 05:28
• Story ID: 33599
• Location: AL KUT, IQ