Small-business loan project for Pr. Geo.'s

Prince George's County is expected to become the site of a pilot project for a new, federally guaranteed small-business loan program to help entrepreneurs raise capital for a range of business expenses, a Small Business Administration official said Tuesday.

At a news conference in Largo, Bridget E. Bean, who oversees the Washington region for the SBA, said the pilot program, known as the Community Advantage Program, is to begin in March and will offer guarantees for 85 percent of loans up to $250,000. One of its chief goals is to expand the number of lenders making loans to underserved communities.