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Micro Grants Continue to Work in Iraq

Micro Grants Continue to Work in Iraq

With the improvement of security, the business community is in a better position to grow. But in order to grow, some small businesses need some help. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently distributed micro-grants to 36 small business owners in Maysan province. The micro-grant program is designed to stimulate the local economy by improving and expanding local businesses, said Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team economic advisor, Donna … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

1st Division Marines in Now Zad Afghanistan

Filed under: Afghanistan, Marines, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Taza Iraq recovers from June bombing

Life is beginning to return to normal on the streets of Taza, Iraq, after a car bomb devastated the primarily Turkish city in Kirkuk province, in late June. Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was welcomed by Taza city mayor, Talib, and street vendors alike Aug. 24, as he came to see how the city has continued its recovery. According to Talib, the city has running water, electricity and functional sewers again. Many businesses have reopened their doors, and a large number of the people who were living in tents have moved out to stay with relatives. Although things are going well, the mayor said residents of the city still need help. “We need a lot of goods,” he said. “The city still needs to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Kabob King Grows With Micro Grant

As violence decreases in Iraq, non-governmental organizations and relief organizations play an increasingly important role in restoring social, cultural and economic stability. Since 2003, the U.S. Agency for International Development has invested more than $150 million in Iraqi micro-loans. The Rakkasans of 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) living in rural Yusifiyah recognized an economic challenge facing the citizens in their area. They searched for a solution to the scarcity of loans available for independent business owners. The result is a non-governmental organization known as Izdihar. The organization uses USAID funds to implement a loan program. Izdihar established regional offices and training loan officers to evaluate potential recipients and disburse loans. “It’s great because it teaches responsibility and independence,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith of … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Micro-grants Building Iraqi Economy

A large percentage of new businesses in the U.S. fail within the first year. Starting a business in Iraq is no different, if not harder, but with the help of Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, four Iraqi businessmen have hopes of beating the odds. Senior leaders of the company met with the businessmen, a carpenter, a pharmacist, a car painter and a mechanic, July 7, at Gnather Iraqi police station and handed them each a micro-grant to help jump start their businesses. The grants were available as part of the Micro-grant Program, started by RCT-1 in an effort to improve the economy in its area of operations by supporting small business owners. Approximately $10,000 was distributed among the four businessmen, who were chosen based … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

South Baghdad Economy Booming Again

Welcome to Andrew Sullivan’s readers. A “war widow” could be the result of the 11 year war with Iran, the first Gulf War or the current conflict. Please don’t make the assumption that all war widows are recent. When Capt. Shawn Carbone first took a good look at the south Baghdad area economy, he found it similar to his studies of America during the Great Depression of the 1930s. “Most of the historically strong businesses were gone, said Carbone, economics team leader for the Baghdad-7 embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team. “The owners had left; packed up. The businesses were shut down and there was mass unemployment across the board.” There were many reasons for the economic troubles of Iraqis in the area which 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, took control of in … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Micro Grants Awarded in Iskandariyah

Here is a good example of what General Cardon says works. DVIDS Students from the Babylon Center for Economical Development received micro grants in a ceremony, Jan. 26, in Iskandariyah. The micro grants ranged from $1000 and $2500; the total awarded was $27,250. The grants were made to nine existing businesses and six new businesses. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror