The Southern Maine Finance Agency (SMFA), formerly known as the Biddeford Saco Area Economic Development Corporation (BSAEDC), promotes sustainable economic prosperity though regional business lending. We work collaboratively with communities, financial institutions and local, regional, state and federal organizations to offer a variety of financing options and support to Maine businesses.
SMFA helps businesses, large and small, by providing gap financing for projects that require cash, fixed asset financing, start-up/working capital and real estate acquisitions and development. We now offer SBA 504 Loans, further enhancing our loan options for clients.
“We offer patient, flexible financing that a traditional bank loan would not be able to offer a business.”
~~ Will Armitage, SMFA President


Shaker Pond Ice Cream, owned by Ryan Whitten and David Swett, has been serving up delicious treats since 2008. What started as an ice cream stand in Alfred, Maine, has now grown to include a retail location in Sanford and a production facility in the same town. Their wholesale business began in 2011, and they continue to expand their offerings to this day. When asked about how they got started in the ice cream business, Ryan and David explain, "Both of us used to work at another ice cream company and decided to go at it on our own." They…
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