Oakwick Lending Group, a small-business funding broker in Concord, NC, works with Locust, NC owners by phone and online. ZIP 28097 had 227 employer establishments in 2023; construction led with 44, and 81.8 percent of those had fewer than five employees (Census ZBP). Every credit decision rests with a lending partner.
| Counties | Cabarrus County and Stanly County, NC |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 12.7 miles SE of the office |
| ZIP 28097 employers | 227 in 2023 (Census ZBP) |
| Tiny contractors | 81.8% of 44 construction employers had under five staff |
| Annual payroll | About $82.7 million, ZIP 28097 (2023) |
Locust, NC across a county line
Locust lies in both Cabarrus County and Stanly County, so county figures are not used here. About 81 percent of the city's land is in ZIP 28097 and most of the rest in Midland's 28107; the city covers about 22 percent of 28097's land (U.S. Census Bureau 2020 ZIP code relationship files).
ZIP 28097 in 2023
The ZIP had 227 employer establishments, 2,104 paid employees and an annual payroll of about $82.7 million. 56.4 percent of establishments had fewer than five employees (U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023).
| Sector | Establishments | Share under five employees |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 44 | 81.8% |
| Other services | 33 | 63.6% |
| Retail trade | 30 | 40.0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 27 | 22.2% |
| Health care and social assistance | 13 | 30.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023.
Two ends of the size scale
More than four in five construction employers in 28097 had fewer than five employees, a higher share than in any other community page on this site. For an owner-led crew, one late payment can stall the next job, so funding conversations usually start with timing rather than expansion.
Food businesses sit at the other end: only about one in five had fewer than five employees. A larger staff makes payroll the biggest recurring cost, and kitchen equipment the biggest one-off. Restaurant and food service financing sets out how partners look at both.
Self-employment estimate
The Census estimate for Locust is 9.5 percent of employed residents self-employed, plus or minus 5.5 points (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). That range is too wide for a comparison with the state.
Reaching us from Locust, NC
The office address is to the northwest in Concord, NC. Start with a call to (980) 352-5260 or the online form. Local help and public data are gathered on the city page, and neighboring communities, including Stanfield in Stanly County, are on the areas page.
Locust, NC businesses we help
Our lending partners have confirmed they fund contractors and construction trades, restaurants and food service, medical and dental practices and retailers and wholesalers that carry stock, and Oakwick Lending Group works with businesses like these in Locust, NC. Each partner still decides case by case.
What to gather before you call
- Your most recent business tax return
- An up-to-date P&L and balance sheet, even if you prepare them yourself
- Photo ID for every owner of the business
- Your articles of organization or incorporation and the EIN letter
- Details of any loans, leases or advances the business already carries
- For equipment, the seller's quote with make, model and price
Partners differ in what they request; this list covers the usual ground.
How a request moves forward
- Reach us at (980) 352-5260 or through the contact form. When we call back, the first questions are simple: what the funding is for, how long the business has operated and its rough revenue.
- We explain which funding types fit that use and what partners usually need to see. Nothing is submitted without your go-ahead.
- With your permission, we take the request to lending partners that offer that kind of funding. Each partner reviews it and makes its own credit decision.
- Any offer comes from the partner. Read the total cost, the payment schedule and the terms before deciding; turning it down is always an option.
Our address: 4 Union St S, Concord, NC 28025.
By Oakwick Lending Group · Updated