Scott Birkner is always accessible, always reachable, and followed through on every promise he ever made. I’ve never met anybody in banking that was as aggressive in advocating for my project. He got to know my business and understands the industry inside and out. I would absolutely recommend Scott Birkner and Dogwood State Bank to other small business owners. They have been good partners and very easy to work with.
Client Profile
Buffalo City Distillery is a farm-to-glass distillery located in Point Harbor, North Carolina, just minutes from the beaches of North Carolina’s most popular tourist destination, the Outer Banks. Customers of Buffalo City Distillery can expect premium-grade spirits produced using corn sourced from their local Hyde County farm near Lake Mattamuskeet, including vodkas, whiskeys, gin, and bourbon. The grain-based distillery will be the first of its kind at the Outer Banks and offer selections for a wide variety of drinking preferences (think, toasted coconut vodka!). Named for Prohibition-era North Carolina moonshine town, Buffalo City, the Distillery will also host tours and events, and operate a full-service cocktail bar and gift shop.
Loan Profile
After spending 30 years in corporate America, owner Buddy Byrum was ready for a shift. As a farm owner and long-time lover of the Outer Banks, Buddy put the pieces together and decided to enter the distilleries industry. Buddy was referred to Business Lending Specialist Scott Birkner and, after learning more about the benefits of the SBA loan programs, decided to pursue an SBA 7(a) loan with an SBA Express Line of Credit for his startup. The SBA loan allowed Buddy to be a sole owner of his business and provided a startup loan solution not readily attainable through conventional loan options. It also provided a comprehensive finance plan under one umbrella, allowing Buddy to finance the construction of the facility, purchase production equipment, and fund working capital requirements.
The SBA loan program provides many unique benefits to small business owners in need of a loan. To learn more about our loan solutions and get to know Business Lending Specialist, Scott Birkner, visit our website. Our team of experts is here to help!
