Financing

We provide loans for all business sizes:

• Loans that fill financial gaps in projects
• Bridge loans to get your project moving quicker
• SBA 504 loans to lower your equity requirement (down payment) and lock in low interest rates for the life of the loan
• Loans to clean up property/buildings so you can redevelop them

Examples of ways we can help:

• Loans for working capital, equipment, training, product development, renovations, and new construction.
• Start-ups, expansions, modernizations, re-structuring and acquisitions.
• Flexible loan terms.
• Access to technical assistance, business training, loan guarantees, and equity sources.
• Building/property hazardous material assessment and clean up.

GAP/Bridge Loans

Sometimes great deals need some extra help to get done. We can partner with your bank or credit union to fill the gap in financing and move your business or development project forward.

Often, we are in second position behind your bank or credit union. Sometimes we are the only lender. We want to hear about your project needs and help you make it happen!

SSBCI

SSBCI is referred to as the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 loan participation program. It is a federal program administered by the Department of the Treasury, created to strengthen state programs that support private financing to small businesses.

GFDA is an SSBCI participating lender. We have partnered with several businesses in the region to help them expand their operations using this tool.

SBA 504 Loans

An SBA 504 is a financing tool, in partnership with your bank or credit union, that lowers your equity requirement (down payment) to as little as 10% and locks in a low interest rate for up to 25 years. This tool is used for the acquisition of fixed assets.

High Plains Financial provides this service and is staffed by the Great Falls Development Alliance.

Brownfields Assessment and Clean Up

Looking to purchase a building or property for your business?

Many buildings and properties contain environmental contaminants that, if not discovered and documented properly BEFORE your purchase, eliminate the possibility of cleanup funding for future redevelopment. Building materials used frequently in the past are hazardous and now deemed unsafe, like asbestos or lead paint.

Before buying a commercial property, we highly recommend commissioning a Phase One environmental assessment to identify potential contaminants. Known as due diligence, the assessment is required if you need help cleaning up contaminants – now or in the future.

What Resources Are Available?

• Brownfields Assessments provide environmental assessments such as Phase I, Phase II, and cleanup planning.
• Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund provides low interest loans to for-profit companies and potential grants for non-profits to clean up brownfields sites.

GFDA is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the US Treasury. Our mission is to provide access to capital that otherwise would not be available from conventional sources. We are dedicated to creating economic opportunity and improving the quality of life in Northcentral Montana.

GFDA and HPF are proud to be equal opportunity employers, lenders, and providers.

The lending activities of GFDA & High Plains Financial are funded in part by the United States Department of Agriculture. In accordance with Federal law and the USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

The Federal Equal Opportunity Act prohibits creditors form discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided that the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The Federal agency that administers compliance with this law Is the Federal Trade Commission, Equal Credit Opportunity, Washington, DC 20580.

In accordance with federal laws and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Director, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20220; call (202) 622-1160; or send an e-mail to: crcomplaints@treasury.gov.