After a head-on car crash left Alice Brown disabled, WildfireCredit Union helped her create a new business to aid others withinjuries.

Brown designed a knee brace that aims to relieve pain whilerestoring normal movement, the Michigan Credit Union League and Affiliates said. She plannedto sell the item online.

While she had overcome a physical injury, Brown said getting thecapital to get her business up and running proved to be anotherobstacle.

Enter the $644 million Wildfire CU in Saginaw, Mich. The cooperative approved a smallbusiness loan to help launch Brown's new company, In The Groove.The funds helped her market the knee brace through her onlinecompany and she was able to hire four full-time employees and onepart-time employee.

“Thanks to Wildfire's support, I've been given the opportunityto bring my knee brace to people who need it while creating jobsand contributing to the local economy,” Brown said. “Without thehelp and support from my credit union, I never would have been ableto see my idea through.”

Linda McGee, Wildfire vice president of membership development,said the credit union welcomed the opportunity to finance Brown'sbudding business.

“Local innovators provide the new ideas that drive economicgrowth and create new jobs. The more we can lend to smallbusinesses, the more positive the impact on our local economy,”McGee said.

The Michigan league is applauding Brown and Wildfire CU sayingcapital access has become a national trend within the credit unionindustry.

For the first time ever, credit unions' small business loanssurpassed $1 billion in Michigan earlier this year, the leaguereported. Member business loan growth in the state was 29% as of June 30,according to NCUA data. The league said during the same 12-monthperiod, Michigan banks' small business lending dropped 10.1%.

“Credit unions are stepping up to lend as other institutions arestepping back,” said David Adams, CEO of the Michigan league. “Small businessescontinue to struggle with access to low-cost capital and creditunions are providing a good alternative for certain types of smallbusiness loans.”