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Finance Your Business

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Starting or growing a business takes money, and getting a loan can be challenging for an entrepreneur. Most banks want a proven track record and won't loan to start-ups or those with less than a two-year financial history. 

That's why the EDC created the following financing options for businesses that don't qualify for conventional loan financing.

Business Financing Options


Banks and Credit Unions

Name

Phone

Website

American AgCredit

(800) 800-4865

agloan.com

Bank of America

(707) 293-2553

bankofamerica.com

Bank of Marin

(707) 508-3377

bankofmarin.com

Bank of the West with BMO Harris Bank

(800) 659-5495

bankofthewest.com

Beneficial State Bank

(888) 326-2265

beneficialstatebank.com

Community First Credit Union

(707) 546-6000

comfirstcu.org

Exchange Bank

(707) 524-3000

exchangebank.com

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

chase.com

WaFd Bank

(707) 578-9216

wafdbank.com

North Bay Credit Union

northbaycu.com

Poppy Bank

(888) 636-9994

poppy.bank

Redwood Credit Union

(800) 479-7928

redwoodcu.org

Sonoma County Grange C.U.

(707) 584-0384

grangecu.org

Sonoma Federal Credit Union

(707) 527-6216

sonomafed.com

Summit State Bank

(707) 568-6000

summitstatebank.com

Tri Counties Bank

(800) 982-2660

tcbk.com

U.S. Bank N.A.

(415) 357-1722

usbank.com/sba

Umpqua Bank

(866) 486-7782

umpquabank.com

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

wellsfargo.com

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
SBA loans are federally guaranteed and geared towards small businesses and entrepreneurs. Typically, lenders require a completed business plan with financial projections, 20-30% equity or collateral, and evidence of the applicant’s ability to repay the loan.

Name

Phone

Website

Bank of the West with BMO Harris Bank

(800) 659-5495

bankofthewest.com/Small-Business/Lending/sba-loans

Exchange Bank

(707) 524-3000

exchangebank.com/business/loans/sba/

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

chase.com/business/banking/loans/sba-financing

Poppy Bank

(888) 636-9994

poppy.bank/business

Redwood Credit Union

(800) 479-7928

redwoodcu.org/business/loans/sba-business-loans-and-504-business-loans/

U.S. Bank N.A.

(415) 357-1722

www.usbank.com/sba 

Umpqua Bank

(415) 898-5400

umpquabank.com/commercial/corporate-lending-and-financing/

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

wellsfargo.com/biz/sba/

Alternative Lending Resources for Businesses
These alternative lending resources can help businesses that encounter difficulty gaining financing through traditional means. These lenders can finance start-ups and existing businesses, and some offer pre- and post-loan business counseling.

Main Street Launch
(510) 763-4297
basbf.com

Offers SBA Community Advantage Loans to $350,000 for up to 10 years.

California Capital Access Program (CALCAP)
treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap

California Pollution Control Financing Authority: A program that incentivizes participating financial institutions to address the growing and ongoing financing needs of California’s small business borrowers by providing a safety net of matching contributions to loan loss reserve accounts for participating financial institutions.

Creser Capital 
cresercapital.org

Mico-lender specializing in access to capital primarily for Latino entrepreneurship.

Working Solutions CDFI
(415) 780-1217
workingsolutions.org

Micro-lender that specializes in startups and existing businesses.Loans range from $5,000 to $100,000 with fixed interest rates from 9% to 11% and 3-5 year terms

Angel Investors and Venture Capital
Angel venture capital investors provide funding to companies engaged in groundbreaking practices including, but not limited to the areas of; Agriculture, alternative energy, biotech, clean tech, communications, industry, high tech, and manufacturing.
Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures
community@msivfund.com 
msivfund.com 
North Bay Angels
northbayangels.com
Environmentally Focused Financing

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program 
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development 
This program provides loans to finance energy efficiency and conservation projects for commercial, industrial, and residential consumers.
rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-loan-program

Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ)
California Integrated Waste Management Board 
This program combines recycling with economic development to fuel new businesses, expand existing ones, create jobs, and divert waste from landfills.
calrecycle.ca.gov/rmdz

Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP)
This program offers PACE financing for permanent energy, water, wildfire safety, and seismic strengthening improvements through the property tax system. Financial is available for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, multifamily and certain non-profit projects.
(707) 565-6470
ScEIP@sonomacounty.gov 
sonomacountyenergy.my.site.com/financing/s 

Crowdfunding and Other Resources

Crowdfunding connects entrepreneurs with investors and/or donors who pool their resources to fully fund a project or venture. Each of the sites listed below differdiffers in their offerings and requirements, so be sure to investigate each thoroughly.

Name

Website

Indiegogo

www.indiegogo.com

Kickstarter

www.kickstarter.com

Gofundme

www.gofundme.com

Tax-Exempt Bond Financing

The EDC, in partnership with the California Enterprise Development Authority (CEDA), facilitates bond financing to help Sonoma County manufacturing/processing firms and local Non-Profits to expand. 

    Industrial Revenue Bonds for Manufacturers

    Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) are tax-exempt securities issued by cities, counties, and joint powers authorities (JPAs), such as CEDA, to provide small- to medium-sized manufacturers money for land purchases, building construction, facility expansion, new production equipment acquisition, and solar and energy conservation retrofits. Benefits of IDB financing include below-market interest rates, long-term financing, and it is available statewide without limitations to specific areas or communities. Overall, IDB financing reduces total financing costs so more capital can be invested back into the organization’s operations.   

    501c3 Revenue Bonds for Nonprofits

    501(c)(3) revenue bond financing facilitates land and building acquisition, building construction, and refinancing of prior debt (for eligible capital projects). Benefits of this type of financing include below-market interest rates, long-term financing, and it is available statewide without limitations to specific areas or communities. A 501(c)(3) revenue bond is preferred over a conventional loan because the interest is tax-exempt and therefore the interest rate is significantly lower than bank financing. Over a long period of time, this can mean substantial savings to the borrower, depending on the amount financed, and reduces total financing costs so more capital can be invested back into the organization’s operations.

    About CEDA

    CEDA was established as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) by the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) to address gaps in economic development financing. Specifically, CEDA’s goal is to issue bonds for small to medium-sized California manufacturers or nonprofits looking to grow or expand, and in some cases refinance


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    Formulario de Registro de Cliente Empresarial: Su primera parada en obtener información acerca de cómo iniciar o expandir su negocio. 

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