Micro-Loan Fund
The micro-loan fund provides loans up to $25,000 to small and emerging private businesses in the Cities of Biddeford and Saco with special emphasis on businesses owned by low to moderate income individuals.
Eligibility
Micro-Loan applications must be for activities eligible under Section 105 (a) (17) (A) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. Loans can be used for:
- Real property acquisition that is essential to the operation of a business;
- Capital equipment;
- Building construction and/or rehabilitation;
- On-site utilities;
- Inventories;
- Working capital, and,
- Relocation of persons and/or businesses as a result of property acquisition or facility expansion.
Under this program, activities that construct, support or assist housing-related projects are ineligible to receive Micro-Loans.
Maximum Loan Amounts and Leverage Requirements
The maximum micro-loan is $25,000. Micro-loans may provide up 100% of the total financing package up to $15,000. Loan packages of over $15,000 require a dollar-for-dollar match for each dollar over $15,000. The match provided to meet this requirement must represent a new investment in the business.
Job Creation and Job Retention
To be eligible to receive a Micro-Loan through this program, the recipient business must be creating or retaining jobs for low to moderate income people. Fifty-one percent or more of the jobs create or retained must be taken by persons from low to moderate income households as defined by HUD.
