Financing Assistance Program
Develop a loan proposal and identify funding sources.
Financing Assistance
The financing assistance program provides clients with:
- Information on bank and government lending programs
- Assistance in determining which loan programs or financing options are most appropriate
- Help in the preparation of loan packages
- Information on bank and government lending programs
- Assistance in determining which loan programs or financing options are most appropriate
- Help in the preparation of loan packages
The Financing Assistance Program will also conduct research to determine specifics about various financing programs for businesses in the Lehigh Valley. The program can also serve as a liaison between businesses and loan funds, banks, economic development agencies, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce.
Loan Programs Available Within Our Service Area
Bethlehem Small Business Loan Fund
Program Details
City of Bethlehem
Loan Funds: $25,000 – $100,000
1 FT job for each $35,000 borrowed
Owner investment required: 20-25%
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, predevelopment costs, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
The Rising Tide Community Loan Fund
Chris Hudock
484-893-1039
Allentown Economic Development Loan Fund
Program Details
City of Allentown
Loan Funds: $50,000 – $100,000
Job creation/retention required
Owner investment required: 10%
Eligible Users
Contact for eligible uses
Contact Information
City of Allentown Business Development
Bernadette DeBias
610-437-7739
allentownpa.gov/Work/Capital
Allentown Enterprise Zone Revolving Loan Fund
Program Details
City of Allentown Enterprise Zones
Loan Funds: $10,000 – $100,000
Up to 75% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, equipment modernization, working capital
Contact Information
Allentown Economic Development Corporation
David Dunn
610-435-8890
Allentown Development Company Loan Program (ADCO)
Program Details
City of Allentown
Loan Funds: $10,000 – $75,000
Job creation/retention required
Owner investment required: 10%
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Doug Warfel
610-266-0887
Whitehall Township Industrial & Community Development Authority Loan Pool
Program Details
Whitehall and Surrounding Areas
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Whitehall Township Industrial & Community Development Authority
Howard Lieberman
484-245-4098
Lehigh and Northampton Counties Revolving Loan Fund
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties
Loan Funds: $10,000 – $50,000
1 FT job for each $10,000 borrowed
Up to 33% of eligible project costs
Owner investment required: 10%
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties
Loan Funds: $10,000 – $50,000
1 FT job for each $10,000 borrowed
Up to 33% of eligible project costs
Owner investment required: 10%
Northampton County Business Boost Revolving Loan Fund
Program Details
Northampton County
Loan Funds: $10,000 – $150,000
Up to 35% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development
Dave Hughes
610-559-3200 Ext 9
northamptoncounty.org
Northampton County Economic Reinvestment Loan Program
Program Details
Northampton County
Loan Funds: $10,000 – $250,000
Up to 30% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, infrastructure improvements, development fees, and site preparation
Contact Information
Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development
Dave Hughes
610-559-3200 Ext 9
northamptoncounty.org
Lehigh Valley Loan Program
Program Details
Cities of Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown
Eligible Users
Property, site preparation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Doug Warfel
610-266-0887
Bucks Rebuilt Loan Program
Program Details
Bucks County
Loan Funds: up to $500,000
Up to 40% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, improvements, development of underutilized industrial properties
Contact Information
Bucks County IDA
Margaret McKevitt
215-345-3402
buckscountyida.com/
Bucks Renewed Loan Program
Contact Information
Bucks County IDA
Margaret McKevitt
215-345-3402
buckscountyida.com/
Eligible Users
Renovations to downtown building or downtown revitalization
Contact Information
Bucks County IDA
Margaret McKevitt
215-345-3402
buckscountyida.com/
Bucks Core Industry Loan
Program Details
Bucks County
Loan Funds: up to $400,000
1 FT job for each $35,000 borrowed
Eligible Users
Property, site preparation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Bucks County IDA
Margaret McKevitt
215-345-3402
buckscountyida.com/
Bucks Taste and Tour Loan
Program Details
Bucks County
Loan Funds: up to $35,000
Up to 80% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Machinery & equipment, working capital, livestock, feed and seed, renovations
Contact Information
Bucks County IDA
Margaret McKevitt
215-345-3402
buckscountyida.com/
Montco Opportunity Loan Program
Program Details
Montgomery County
Loan Funds: up to $250,000
1 FT job for each $50,000 borrowed
Eligible Users
Property, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Montgomery County
The Rising Tide Community Loan Fund
Program Details
Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, and Montgomery Counties
Loan Funds: up to $35,000 – new
Loan Funds: up to $75,000 – existing
Eligible Users
Property, machinery & equipment, inventory working capital
Eligible Users
Property, machinery & equipment, inventory working capital
Community First Fund
Program Details
Lehigh, Northampton, and Montgomery Counties
Loan Funds: $50,000 – $500,000
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Community First Fund
Jim Buerger
484-577-4824
SBA 504 Loan Program
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Bucks County, Montgomery County
Loan Funds: up to $1.5 million
1 FT job for each $65,000 borrowed
Up to 40% of eligible project costs
Owner investment required: 10%
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, major machinery & equipment
Contact Information
Lehigh and Northampton Counties:
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Doug Warfel
610-266-0887
Bucks County:
Bucks County Economic Development Corporation
James Pawlikowski, Bob Cormack
215-348-9031
bcedc.com/funding-sources/loan-programs
PA Industrial Development Authority (PIDA)
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Bucks County
Loan Funds: up to $2 million
1 FT job for each $35,000 borrowed
Up to 60%-70% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation
Contact Information
Lehigh and Northampton Counties:
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Doug Warfel
610-266-0887
Bucks County:
Bucks County Economic Development Corporation
James Pawlikowski, Bob Cormack
215-348-9031
bcedc.com/funding-sources/loan-programs
Small Business First Fund
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Bucks County, Montgomery County
Loan Funds: up to $200,000
1 FT job for each $25,000 borrowed
Up to 50% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Lehigh and Northampton Counties:
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Doug Warfel
610-266-0887
Bucks County:
Bucks County Economic Development Corporation
James Pawlikowski, Bob Cormack
215-348-9031
bcedc.com/funding-sources/loan-programs
Montgomery County:
Montgomery County Development Corporation
David Niles
610-272-5000
PA Minority Business Devleopment Authority (PMBDA)
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Bucks County
Loan Funds: up to $750,000
1 FT job for each $15,000 borrowed
Up to 75% of eligible project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, working capital
Contact Information
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Doug Warfel
610-266-0887
PA Economic Development Financing Authority (PEDFA)
Program Details
Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Bucks County
Loan Funds: no less than $400,000
Up to 100% of total project costs
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, designated infrastructure, refunding of tax-exempt debt
Eligible Users
Property, construction, renovation, machinery & equipment, designated infrastructure, refunding of tax-exempt debt
Please NOTE: “The U.S. Small Business Administration DOES NOT offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. While the SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments.” The SBDC Financing Assistance Program does not offer services to identify grant funding.
See sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs for more information.
Finance Consulting
A major activity of the Financing Assistance Program is informing clients of financing options. Information on bank and government loan programs is readily available. Once a client determines the amount of funds needed, appropriate funding sources can be identified. With the assistance of the program director, clients are enabled to structure a financial package, possibly utilizing various federal, state, and local programs to obtain the lowest possible blended interest rate. Clients are also helped with the development of an appropriate loan proposal with ratio analysis and cash flow projections.
Networking
The program director works closely with administrators of various alternate bank lending programs. Because of these contacts, clients are able to receive information about the newest developments in loan programs and to structure their loan package to obtain the most favorable interest rates. Through an extensive network of contacts, the program stays abreast of changes in financing program requirements, as well as legislative changes affecting these programs.
Resources and Assistance
In order to receive assistance from the SBDC Financing Assistance Program, clients must first complete a “Request for Service” form by clicking the “Request Consulting” button below. The program director will then call to get background information and set the next steps. The consulting engagement may include several interviews and an on-site visit. After a review and evaluation the client’s financial situation, a course of action is recommended.