Resources

We've created links to some of the helpful resources for entrepreneurs:

• NYS Small Business Development Center

• NYS ESDC Division of Small Businesses

• National Grid Strategic Economic Development Program

• U.S. Center for Veterans Enterprise

• The Women's Fund of the Capital Region

• NYS ESDC Division of MWBE

• New York Business Express

• Grants.gov

• Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce

• Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region

• City of Troy

• Rensselaer County Government

FUNDING INFORMATION

THE COMMUNITY LOAN FUND

The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a non-profit community development financial institution serving the Capital Region of New York  State -- Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren & Washington Counties.

Socially Concerned Investing

• The Community Loan Fund provides an opportunity for concerned individuals and institutions to put their principles into practice and invest locally in community improvements.  Socially concerned investors loan or donate to the Community Loan Fund thereby providing the necessary capital for our community and economic development activities.  The Community Loan Fund’s growing number of investors – over 300 individuals, faith-based institutions, unions, foundations, banks, and other business and civic groups – enjoy a 100% repayment rate as they witness economic activities delivering impressive social returns.

Community Development Lending

• Loans up to $500,000 for nonprofit community development organizations that provide affordable housing, human services or help revitalize their communities

• Loans to small businesses and micro enterprises owned by women, minorities or low-income people; loans up to $25,000 for start-up businesses and up to $50,000 for expansion of existing businesses.

• Loans to low and moderate-income borrowers up to $120,000 to purchase a home and up to $20,000 for eligible home repairs.

• Energy efficiency loans are available to both nonprofits and small businesses, saving energy costs and the environment.  This program is offered in partnership with NYSERDA - when resources allow.

• Participation loans with many areas banks and credit unions are available, to both nonprofits and small businesses, for projects that exceed our loan limits.  The Community Loan Fund can help package appropriate financing.

Training and Technical Assistance

• Business Planning Training:  Courses held throughout the year in partnership with The School of Business at the College of Saint Rose. 

• Technical Assistance provided to nonprofits and small businesses with one-on-one consulting, special workshops, legal clinics (with The Legal Project), and referrals.

• Management of the Albany Center for Economic Success (ACES), its small business incubator and community development facility.

SMALL ENTERPRISE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (SEED)

Traditional lending requires cash, collateral and great credit. If access to capital has prevented you from starting or expanding your business, SEED may be the program for you.

What is SEED?

The Small Enterprise Economic Development (SEED) is a new Loan Program for future Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners that bases the lending decision on the character of the applicant and feasibility of the business model. Maximum Loan = $35,000. 

The program was developed to address needs in the community like:

• Entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals who have indicated an interest in starting a business(*) but lack the credit, capital and/or collateral for traditional funding or for expanding a business where financing is difficult to obtain.

• Provide economic growth and community revitalization by extending loan funds to projects typically not fundable within current lending formulas.

• Offer a model program that will evaluate the character of the borrower as well as the Business Model and project feasibility in determining fundability of the business that can be duplicated statewide.

The Small Enterprise Economic Development program is a collaborative effort between:

School of Business,
University at Albany, SUNYSchool of Social Welfare,
University at Albany, SUNYSmall Business Development Center,
University at Albany, SUNYState Employees Federal Credit Union

The partnership was developed to provide entrepreneurs that do not meet traditional lending criteria of cash, collateral and credit score with an alternative means to funding the start-up or expansion of their business. It creates a micro-enterprise loan fund that makes lending decision based on the character of the applicant, quality and feasibility of the business model and financial projections. 

(*)start-up restaurants and bars are not eligible.

Security & Community Outreach