Charles Smith has joined Community Teamwork as the new director of the Entrepreneurship Center (E-Center). The E-Center provides business coaching, consulting and funding for local entrepreneurs, ensuring community businesses thrive.
CTI’s E-Center provides coaching in many forms and works with partners including SCORE, EforAll and other small-business consultants. It is an authorized provider of SBA Microloan products, which provide funding for small-business owners in the Entrepreneurship Center service area, which includes Tewksbury. SBA Microloans provide up to $50,000 for up to six years at an initial rate of 7.75%, reduced to 5.25% after completing 20 hours of business coaching.
With over 14 years of SBA experience and 20 years of government lending experience, Smith has been involved in lending for his entire career.
“I am excited to be working with the entrepreneurs in the Merrimack Valley and look forward to the challenge of providing access to capital in these communities,” he said. “I believe in giving entrepreneurs from all walks of life, no matter their stage of business, a chance to grow their business using all of the programs available to entrepreneurs in our communities, including conventional and SBA lending.”
Smith is an Adjunct Professor and PH.D candidate in 2026 at UMass Lowell, a graduate of Texas Tech School of Law, Rawls College of Business and Texas and Prairie View A&M University. When not working or in school, he enjoys downtime with his family, including a young son and daughter.
“We are thrilled to have Charles join our team,” said Karen Frederick, Chief Executive Office, Community Teamwork. “His wealth of experience, contacts and knowledge will be a great asset to our agency and the community.”
To give the community a chance to meet Smith, the E-Center will host a meet and greet with Smith and the Entrepreneurship team on Wednesday, November 2, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Mill City BBQ in Lowell. Open to all community members.
To qualify for an SBA loan, the business must be located in the Entrepreneurship Center’s SBA Service Interested applicants must complete the New Business Intake Form on the E-Center website.
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