DOVER, Del.- At Kaizen Karate Academy, Patrick Preece teaches his students the ins and outs of martial arts. But the size of his studio keeps him from expanding.
"Sometimes we're limited by space and more space is going to allow us to have new products and new opportunities for our clients," Preece said.
Preece could not expand on his own, so that's where the state's small business credit initiative comes in.
Delaware is awarding Preece and George Dobbins, the owner of Crossfit Dover, $20,000 in low-interest loans to help them join forces and move into a larger location together.
"With the lower rate we're able to pay back our loans sooner and just do what we love to do," Preece said.
The pair are hoping their new facility will be a place to families to come and everyone can train and get fit.
"We want to be able to offer the community something that will allow both places to prosper and grow," Dobbins said.
The new combined facility should also allow them to reach out to more age groups.
"We're looking to offer another program for 55 and plus," Dobbins said.
Kaizen Karate Academy and Crossfit Dover will be opening their new joint facility early next year.
