Flexible Financing for Small Businesses
Overview
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, Glen Ohlund gleno@fccdc.org. 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 Investment 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.

Application Process
Start Here
Interested in exploring a business or idea? You’re in the right place! Step one is filling out our Interest Form. Once you have submitted your interest form, our team will contact you within two weeks with recommended next steps!
Step Two
Once you have submitted your Interest Form, and received recommended next steps, we’ll need to gather some more information from you. Collecting client information is critical for us to show our funders who we serve. Our Application includes questions regarding your estimated yearly gross income, explanation of business or idea and several other details. Your answers to these questions will help us help you by tailoring our services to meet your unique goals.
Attend an Information Session
We encourage you to register and attend an information session. You can attend an information session before or after submitting an Interest Form or Application.
Grow Your Business (all business)
Find out how our programs can help you with Counseling, Capital and Connections to GROW YOUR BUSINESS.
Learn about available resources and walk out knowing your next step.
FIRST Wednesday of the Month 2:00-3:00 pm FCCDC
Grow your Food Product Business
Food Producers looking to make their products or have their products co-packed at the Western MA Food Center access the FCCDC’s expertise at a food-focused information session. We invite food producers interested in using the Center to join us to learn more about our services and on-boarding process. Use the link below to sign up.
Third Tuesday of the Month 10:00 – 11:00 am
Financing Farms and Healthy Food Retail
PVGrows Investment Fund
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.
Financing Farms and Healthy Food Retail
Join us to learn more about how the PVGrows Investment Fund and Mass Food Trust can help provide financing and technical assistance for your business. This info session is geared towards entrepreneurs who are increasing access to healthy food. Retailers, farmers, processors, aggregators, distributors and more!
Second Wednesday of the month at 11:00 am.

- Want to know more about the wonderful farms and local food borrowers that have received financing from PVGIF? Click here for a list of borrower profiles.
- Interested in investing in PVGIF? Take a look at the PVGrows Investment Fund Offering Memorandum here.
- Ready to submit an Inquiry Form to be considered for financing and technical assistance? Click here to view the Inquiry Form.
Feel free to reach out with any questions to Rebecca Busansky, Program Manager, at rebecca@pvgrows.net or 413-774-7204 ext. 112.
Mass Food Trust Program
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.
Financing Farms and Healthy Food Retail
Join us to learn more about how the PVGrows Investment Fund and Mass Food Trust can help provide financing and technical assistance for your business. This info session is geared towards entrepreneurs who are increasing access to healthy food. Retailers, farmers, processors, aggregators, distributors and more!
Second Wednesday of the month at 11:00 am.
How to Apply for a Loan
How to Apply for a Loan
Here is how our process works: Lending Process Flow Chart.
![]() | The first step in applying for a loan with the FCCDC is to fill out our Interest Form. |
![]() | Next, fill out our Application. |
![]() | Next, download our loan application as a Fillable PDF and submit it to Glen Ohlund, Lending Director, at gleno@fccdc.org, or mail to FCCDC, 324 Wells Street Greenfield, MA 01301. |