When ICH support is a guarantee of seriousness for business creators with banks

O. Brun, F. Orts, C. Revel et S. Painvin. JM – JM

Initiative Cœur d’Hérault vient de signer un partenariat avec la Com Com du Clermontais afin de soutenir, plus encore, les projets d’entreprises.

“It's a stroke of luck to have been so well guided and supported by Initiative Cœur d'Hérault”, says Franck Orts. Because like, on average, 47 business creators or buyers per year, the boss of the Brasserie, La Pinte Héraultaise, launched his project with the support of Initiative Cœur d'Hérault (ICH). A network of 45 volunteers who are able to draw up a diagnosis of economic projects and provide financing, in the form of an interest-free loan, repayable in three or five years, (for an amount of €4,000 per job created, up to a maximum of €25,000). As a sign of seriousness, this assistance and expertise potentially has a leverage effect with banks…“When ICH lends €1, €11 is injected into the territory”, illustrates Sylvie Painvin, president of ICH. A virtuous circle to which the Com Com du Clermontais intends to contribute.

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A reinforced approach

Because on February 4, the CCC initialed a partnership with the network to which the community paid a contribution of €10,000, making up a loan fund (on a portfolio of honorary loans of nearly €600,000). This support will abound in the efforts of ICH, which, increasingly in demand, must take up the challenge of undeniable success (see box). “As part of our economic competence, we were already partners in supporting businesses. Today, we are going much further in the process”, measured Claude Revel, president of the CCC. “Your association is very efficient, and allows many companies to find solutions. Through these agreements, the interco is constantly listening to the players in the territory. Let's continue, let's try to bring added value. (Even if), at the moment, budgets are constrained and complicated for everyone”, stressed Olivier Brun, vice-president of the CCC delegated to economic development.

Gender balance

In 2024, for the first time, the balance between men and women was achieved in the projects supported by ICH. “The glass ceiling has been broken. We have not given any specific instructions. Applications are studied on objective criteria and without asking personal questions of the candidate(s)”, says Aline Grau.

More than 90% sustainability after more than 3 years

 "We win and lose together. And there, the Pinte Héraultaise, it's a winning project" says Sylvie Painvin, president of ICH. “Thanks to our experts, we have 90% sustainability at more than 3 years”. When it was launched, the loan fund was funded by the Com Com, Europe and entrepreneurs. “It has existed for more than 20 years. There is inevitably a little erosion because, naturally, there are sometimes companies that do not repay”. Above all, “Our territory is developing. Our loan fund is subject to more requests and this is beneficial for the whole of society, it generates jobs and resources", analyzes Sylvie Painvin.

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