Steve Kulik at Opening of Elements Brewery with owner Dan Kramer

The FCCDC finances both start-up and existing small businesses for a wide range of purposes, and have been successfully doing so for more than 37 years. 

We support entrepreneurs involved in a variety of industries with an emphasis on supporting businesses committed to creating jobs. If your business needs financing, contact our Lending Director, Alan Singer. We would like to hear from you!

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

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!

Big Y Truck Promoting Tea Guys

Since its inception in 2015, the FCCDC is proud to administer the PVGrows Investment Fund. Read more about PV Grows and the work it does to enhance the ecological and economic sustainability and vitality of the Pioneer Valley food system.

How to Apply for a Loan

FCCDC lending client Nova Motorcycles of Turners Falls

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.

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.