A little help!

Hey everyone;
As several of you already know I am in the process to trying to develope a comercial size wind to electric facility on my farmland and the surrounding area. I have sent information to several possible funding sources but am getting the feeling that my presentation is not what they are looking for. While I have business experience as a farmer/rancher I am not trained in business as the funding people obviously are.
What I am asking for is some folks with business training/experience to look at what I have been sending and provide me with some constructive criticism and possible ways to improve my presentation. This is not a backdoor attempt to raise money. I just need a little help.
Please add me as a friend so that I can send the information to you. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Arno Lundin on January 18, 2009 at 11:58pm: I'd look at it and have a few people I know look at it. Never worry about asking for money as any idea usually needs money to get going. If you need money let it be known. Raising money is a funny thing. Some deals are made on napkins and hand shakes some on golf courses. Your plan should have a 1 pager. Use of proceeds. ROI expectations. Details surrounding the deal like legal permits and contracts for sales. It may be too small for the big players and little players usually won't invest off wall street.
Send me the plan @ artekwolf@gmail.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe Shmo on January 20, 2009 at 6:01am: For help contact
Robert Cole from Starinvest Group

rcole@starinvestgroup.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve at Home on January 21, 2009 at 5:23pm: Arno and Robert;
Thanks. I have sent you both my proposal.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arno Lundin on January 21, 2009 at 6:55pm: I will peruse over the next few day's and pass over to my broker friend.
The file came as a .dat file instead of a .doc file. I had to rigth click and use the open with menu and select word. Not sure how Robert got it but if he see's this he may be able to figure out how to open.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arno Lundin on January 21, 2009 at 9:17pm: Hey john i dunno that part about wind needs but i think steve had info on that in the doc i recieved but we could ask Dakota wind guy if it is good.
Did you freak out from the numbers I sent you?
Latest had confrence tween quebec and bc gov. scientist, companies, vc's etc. the out come our system stole the party; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve at work on January 23, 2009 at 2:21pm: Hey John;
Yes we absolutely do have sufficient wind. The readings show enough to make the project very profitable.
Steve; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arno Lundin on January 27, 2009 at 1:19pm: Steve it seems most of the information is there and what is not It looks like you will have no problem.There are several business plan writing software's out there how ever the approach I found that helped was using a business consultant company that was specializing in corporate turn a rounds. Even though I was a start up the person I worked with was knowledgeable and known in the community. It was a small contract for them to help me with a biz plan but he helped and so long as I did the information leg work he put it together in a few hour session a plan. It was in my opinion the difference in obtaining the funding. One it was coming from a credible corporate source, two it was properly assembled and three it showed that I was not trying to go it alone in areas I was not strong in and could select proper help. If there is someone locally that can have a sit down with you and your info you may find it worthwhile. The company I worked with allowed me to obtain the funds then pay for the service.
Dream, Think, Act it into existence.
Hope this helps.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RAJENDRA M.TRIVEDI, M.D. on January 28, 2009 at 4:52pm: We like to know where is the farm and acres can be used for Wind mills?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve at work on January 29, 2009 at 11:56am: Hello Doctor Trivedi;
The site consists of abut 5,000 acres in Northeast Missouri. I would be happy to send you details for comment. All I need is your email address. Thanks Steve; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by J. Brown on January 30, 2009 at 5:15pm: As a farm kid turned MBA, I'd like to give you a personal warning. In the 70's, as land values went up farmers borrowed to fund capital-intensive improvements or expanisons. Then when the economy crashed, they found themselves in a position very much like the current subprime mortgage problem in the housing market. Many family farms never recovered.
Do your financial projections assuming not just more recession, but a deep depression that lasts for 5-6 years, with low demand for electricity and low oil prices. If you can still make it work under that scenario, go for it and best of luck to you.
Timing will be everything. Now is going to be a great time to do capital projects. You should be able to negotiate low prices. What you want to do is benefit from current low costs and be ready when demand goes up.
(By the way - several high school friends have funded their family farms by renting land to the local power company for a hill-top wind farm. I smile to see the windmills running whenever I visit.)
Best of luck to you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve at Home on January 30, 2009 at 6:05pm: Hey J;
Thanks for the warning. I have been going through a different process. With the interest rates as low as they have been recently I have refinanced all my debt and locked it in until it's all paid off. Land prices have already dropped 20% around here and so I am looking at paying off debt not taking on more. I am looking at finding someone to put up the money and I provide the land and leases. I probably could not borrow enough to start with building one windmill. If I can work out a lease deal and make a profit I will, but me putting up any real money is out of the question. One of the few true benefits of being broke. the bankers will not let you be that stupid now where a few months ago they would. Steve; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve at Home on January 31, 2009 at 10:20pm: John;
Thanks for the imput. Every time I get some from people that know business it makes me look for all the answers and sharpens my plan and presentation. Let me answer a couple.
What makes this site special? Thats the key question. It is special because of it's location on high power lines with already existing substations and transformers. almost non existant infrastructure cost. It is special because of the highest elevation and highest windspeed in the area.It is special because it is at the farthest East edge of the wind corodor with close access to several mid size cities.The problems in the west are the distance from the markets and the huge cost of building the grids. We do not have those problems here
No I do not plan to do it myself. What I am doing is putting together a project that is ready to be funded and then sell the specialness of this site to someone else to develope. All that I plan to keep is the leaseing. Right now there are few actual sites being developed in this area and I want mine to be one of them.
Again thanks for the comments. I can see that I need to make my vision clearer; ▶ Reply to This