EMCOG

PROGRAM:  East Central Michigan Revolving Loan  Fund (Legacy - Plan 1) for Bay and Saginaw Counties
                                              
DESCRIPTION: The ECM RLF (Legacy - Plan 1) provides gap financing/credit at reasonable rates to small and medium size businesses in Bay and Saginaw Counties. Target loans average $25,000 to $100,000 although the maximum loan is dependent on the fund balance. Loan terms will be negotiable with a maximum of five years for working capital, seven years for fixed assets and 15 years for land and buildings unless otherwise approved by the RLF Loan Fund Board.   

SERVICE FEES: An application fee of up to $1,000 will be charged to the applicant.  Legal fees for document preparation incurred by the ECM RLF will be the responsibility of the borrower at closing.

OBJECTIVES: Loans are for business development, including start-up and expansion of locally owned businesses. Funding is intended for job creation and/or job retention, redevelopment of blighted and vacant facilities, modernization of facilities/equipment, support for development and/or use of new technologies, support for economically disadvantaged groups, and diversification of area economic activity. Eligible borrowers include private, public and tax-exempt entities in the industrial/manufacturing, commercial and service sectors.

LOAN CRITERIA: Loans will be targeted for industrial or commercial activities where opportunities for private sector jobs are the greatest.  Priority will be given to projects with a high ratio of other funds to RLF funds.  Private investment (including loans) must be made concurrently with a RLF loan as part of the same business development project. Private investments do not include equity build-up or prior capital investment unless the investment is made within nine (9) months of the RLF loan. A private lender should also be making a loan to the company at the same time funds are being requested from East Central. Applicants must demonstrate a reasonable capacity to repay the loan.  Adequate collateral will be required. A basic understanding of business bookkeeping and profitability measures will be expected.

PROCEDURE: An application package is available from the East Michigan Council of Governments (www.emcog.org).  When complete, the application package is submitted to a Loan Committee of experienced lenders. A decision is made at the Loan Committee Board meeting if the application is complete.  Funding is immediate at closing.

CONTACT: To apply for funding and to learn more information about the program, contact Sue Fortune at 989-797-0800.