LIGHTS Regional Innovation

Congratulations to Lisa Heinz! Lisa, owner of Southeast Ohio Fiberworks, secured funds for her new project in record time! The loan of $8,000 was fully funded by nearly 60 groups and individual lenders. These funders came together within three days of an ask to support Lisa's exceptional work. Fiberworks coordinates with a network of farmers and other makers to create and provide quality local wool products for the public.

Lisa said, "This loan will allow me to process 200lbs of rare Jacob wool I have on hand into various threads and dye those yarns in attractive colors for the hand-dyed wool market... As we move forward, I have a lot of prep work to do on my fleece to get it ready for the mill. This mostly means that I need to separate the colors to start with 100lbs of white raw fleece and 100lbs of grey raw fleece. I have already contacted the mill to see when we can schedule my run, and I hope to have local wool yarn for sale before next winter."