From credit lines to refinancing and vehicle loans, smallbusiness owners are sharing how their relationships with GesaCredit Union have helped their firms grow.

Fraser Hawley and Sharon Brown, owners of a mixed-use strip mallin Kennewick, Wash., said the $1 billion Gesa CU refinanced abusiness loan so they could complete construction on a secondmedical building on the property.

“I believe in keeping business dollars in the community, and Iappreciate that Gesa handles everything locally,” Hawley said in aGesa press release. “They know our businesses and have theirfingers on the pulse of what's going on.”

Todd Ray, a farm equipment supplier with locations throughoutEastern Washington and in Oregon, said his main operating line ofcredit as well as commercial building loans and two vehicle loansare with Gesa.

“It's nice to bank with Gesa because of their stability –andmore importantly – their focus on the member,” Ray said.

The Richland, Wash.-based Gesa said it is asking their members and the community at largeto reach out to Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwellfor support of the Credit Union Small Business Jobs bill (S. 2231) that wouldraise the member business lending cap.

“Our local small businesses are the engine that drives oureconomy and helps our communities grow,” Gesa said. “Right now,credit unions have an opportunity to help local small businessesand our communities grow even stronger.”