FCCDC Lending

The FCCDC finances both start-up and existing small businesses for a wide range of purposes, and has been successfully doing so for 40 years.

We support entrepreneurs in a variety of industries with an emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs who are committed to creating jobs in their communities. Since 1979, we have provided more than $10 million in financing to local businesses and more than 300 loans. FCCDC borrowers have created and/or retained over thousands of local jobs!

Need Funding?

We lend between $5,000 and $200,000 to both existing and start-up businesses.

If your business needs financing, contact our Lending Director, Alan Singer. We would like to hear from you!

The FCCDC partners with the following loan funds and lending programs:

• The Four Town Trust Fund provides loans for businesses in Greenfield, Montague, Shelburne and Buckland.
• The PVGrows Invesmtent Fund provides financing and business assistance to farm and food businesses.  For more information, click here.
• The Ten Town Trust Fund targets businesses located in Ashfield, Bernardston, Charlemont, Erving, Gill, Hawley, Northfield, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately.
• The SSED Fund (Sudden and Severe Economic Dislocation) is for businesses that require financing for the retention or creation of jobs in Franklin County as well as Athol, Petersham, Phillipston and Royalston. It is also available to support minority and women-owned businesses.
• The Rural Development (USDA) Intermediary Lending Program is for established businesses that need gap financing. Funds may also be available for new and expanding businesses.
• The Rural Development (USDA) Rural Microenterprise Assistance Program is for established businesses that need gap financing. Funds may also be available for new and expanding businesses.

About PVGIF

The PVGrows Investment Fund, Inc. (PVGIF) provides financing and technical assistance to local farm and food businesses through community investments. PVGIF offers an investment vehicle for individuals, institutions and foundations to invest in building a healthier food system. Together, we will all work to strengthen and grow the local food economy – more vibrant farm and food businesses, more local jobs, and more access to healthy food in the Pioneer Valley.

Background

In 2009, the PVGrows Finance Working Group was formed to develop economic opportunities in the agricultural and food system sectors of the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.  Small- and mid-sized enterprises, particularly food-based businesses, face unique challenges in identifying suitable sources of capital and business assistance.  The Finance Working Group’s initial efforts focused on identifying solutions for post-harvest agricultural infrastructure, developing financing options for local farm businesses and identifying business assistance and technical resources.

The PVGrows Loan Fund launched in 2010.  The pilot provided loans up to $250,000 to Pioneer Valley businesses involved in the local food economy, as well as access to business development assistance through member organizations.

In 2012, several of the Partner Organizations, along with the Solidago Foundation and the Lydia B. Stokes Foundation, began the research phase to develop a community investment vehicle.   Read more about the process.

In 2013, the PVGrows Loan Fund announced a partnership with the Fair Food Network, making PVGrows’ loan applicants eligible for business assistance up to $10,000.

The PVGrows Investment Fund’s community investment offering launched in October 2015, and is based, in large part, on this pilot version.

FCCDC Partnership with MFTP

The FCCDC is proud to be a Co-Administrator for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program. Read more about our position as Co-Administrator.

The Massachusetts Food Trust Program is a partnership between the Commonwealth, two nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), a Food Access Organization, a State Administrator, and other partners, stakeholders, and nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth.

Read the MFTP Press Release about the first seven funded projects this year!

How to Apply for a Loan

The first step in applying for a loan with the CDC is to fill out our application form. Download our loan application as a Word docx or a PDF to print and send back)

Here is how our process works: Lending Process Flow Chart.