Why is this a unique financing option for local food businesses?
- The interest rate is set at just 5.25%
- SBCFAN covers the cost of loan processing fees for all applicants
- This program was designed with input from local farmers and food businesses, ensuring traditional barriers to financing were avoided
- Wraparound support from the Economic Development Collaborative’s business development advisors is provided at no cost to applicants
What inspired the creation of the Food System Resilience Loan Program?
Many food businesses, especially producers, have been unable to access traditional financing because there are too many barriers, including the loan terms. Recognizing the regional need for financing for working capital, inventory, staffing, and equipment, SBCFAN partnered with the Economic Development Collaborative to develop the Food System Resilience Loan Program.
How to Submit Your Application
Call the EDC-SBDC Business Assistance Line at (805) 409-9159, or set up your intake appointment at calendly.com/edc-sbdc for resources and advising in English and Spanish today. *Please type “SBCFAN loan” in the note section of the form when scheduling a Calendy appointment.
TERMS AND ELIGIBILITY*
- Loans may range from $10,000 to $25,000, with a maximum loan term of 60 months
- Two years of business tax returns, current year to date financials and projections
- Two years of personal tax returns, personal financial statement and debt schedule
- Food-focused enterprise located within and/or feeds Santa Barbara County in operation on or before January 2020
- Collateral for loans such as available business assets including machinery, equipment, accounts receivable, inventory and real property and/or personal real estate of guarantor
- Minimum credit score of 625
- SBCFAN will cover the cost of loan processing fees for all applicants, including the IBANK guarantee and document fees, credit report and UCC-1 fees
- An application can be withdrawn at any time during the review process
- Applicant will meet with a Small Business Development Center business advisor, provided at no-cost by the EDC, before and after funding on a continuous basis
*other documents may be requested
* SBCFAN does not benefit financially in any way from this program. Our objective is to address Food Action Plan goals by meeting the varied resource needs of our food system.
THE FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE LOAN PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FOOD ACTION NETWORK AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE
About the Economic Development Collaborative
Economic Development Collaborative has been creating empowered business owners, connecting community partners and informing civic leaders in the greater Ventura and Santa Barbara County region since 1996. Signing up as a client takes just a few minutes and provides you with lifetime access to all EDC’s NO-COST services, including one-on-one business consulting.
The EDC Santa Barbara County Business Resource Page provides a detailed overview of resources and partner organizations available to our entrepreneurial community. Visit the EDC Disaster Recovery Resource Page to stay up to date on resources and emergencies specific to Santa Barbara businesses.
