MBFC presented a $3,000 rebate to Eric and Hilary Johnson, owners of Eric’s Excavating, as part of the MBFC VetLoan Advantage Rebate. MBFC is the only Certified Development Company in the Midwest to offer a rebate to business owners that are active or retired members of military service. This rebate is a way to honor their service to our county and for owning a business which has funded an SBA 504 loan for their business.
The Johnsons own Eric’s Excavating, Inc. located in Pequot Lakes, MN. They provide underground utility and excavating services in the Brainerd Lakes area. The business worked with Kim Erickson, Assistant Vice President of American National Bank, to finance constructing 2 buildings for offices and equipment. Joe Kammermeier, Vice President of MBFC, provided funding using the SBA 504 loan program for the project.
(Pictured below: Joe Kammermeier, Vice President of MBFC, Eric and Hilary Johnson, Owners of Eric’s Excavating, their son Ethan, and Kim Erickson, Assistant Vice President of American National Bank)
Eric served 6 years of active duty with the United States Army Reserves, and inactive duty for 2 years. During this time he was ordered to join Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 844th Combat Engineer Heavy Battalion, Chattanooga, TN. Anything relating to heavy equipment for all finish grade projects were part of his assignment. His craftsmanship and attention to detail was commended by the Battalion Commander on force-protection projects reaching the attention of a 3-Star General level.
During his service he was responsible for assisting with two clearing projects with requiring the return of land to the Ministry of the Interior of Kuwait. This included berm construction, drainage improvements, road construction, pad construction, and area remediation.
Eric answered the call of duty by returning from the Inactive Ready Reserves, leaving behind his business, family and personal life to serve his country. In 2006, Eric returned home to restart business operations of Eric’s Excavating, Inc. His heavy equipment experience spans more than 20 years.