MatchForce and the Defense Ventures Fund are tools established to help North Carolina companies take advantage of military business opportunities and are indispensable resources for Moore County businesses.

 
MATCHFORCE
The web-based tool MatchForce, at www.matchforce.org, is maintained by the NC Military Business Center (NCMBC) and directly matches North Carolina businesses to government contracts, government purchasers to NC suppliers, and job seekers to North Carolina jobs.

Local businesses, government agencies, and individuals must register at MatchForce before participating in any of its services.  Registration is free, and this is the first step for companies to receive information on federal job opportunities that match their respective profiles.  Government contracting representatives can access MatchForce to easily find those companies offering the products and services needed.

 
» Read about the O’Connor Company of N.C., Inc.,  a Moore County construction company registered at MatchForce, who won a $3.2 million contract at Fort Bragg in October 2006 to construct a 70,000 square-foot indoor shooting range.  To read the story, click here.

 
>> For assistance with MatchForce, contact Linn Owen, NCMBC Business Development Specialist, at Sandhills Community College, 910-728-5122 or by email:  owenl@ncmbc.us.

 
DEFENSE VENTURES FUND
The Defense Ventures Fund is a loan fund program for North Carolina companies interested in expanding or entering into defense-related manufacturing.  The Neuse River Development Authority established the fund based on a grant received from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Start-up or existing manufacturers and service businesses located in or relocating to North Carolina can apply for subordinated loans ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.  These loans offer deferred principal and interest payments, 10-20 year terms, and rates subject to market conditions.

Loan funds can be used for facility expansion, machinery & equipment, real estate, or working capital.

>> For more information, contact Guy Williams, President of Neuse River Development Authority, at 252-638-6724, or email:  gwilliams@nrda.org.