Funding program targets women entrepreneurs

These are good days for entrepreneurs looking for small loans from unconventional sources.

Here's the latest twist: An organization called The Women's Fund of Southwest Florida has launched a program to lend $5,000 to $50,000 to women entrepreneurs in Collier, Glades and Hendry counties.

The Women's Fund, based in Fort Myers, has partnered with the regional Small Business Development Center and the Economic Development Investment Fund in Sarasota to provide women business owners with capital for startups or expansion.

Initially, the group plans to connect prospective clients with the fund's rural microenterprise revolving fund. But the organization plans to expand into the urban areas of Lee and Collier counties as the program grows.

The Women's Fund plans to raise money through government grants as well from individual and corporate donors.