The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) adopted the alternative size standard for its 7(a) Business and Certified Development Company (CDC/504) Loan Programs (collectively “Business Loan Programs”) and the statutory limits for contract size...

As more and more people demand local and or ganic food, there are increasing opportunities for new farmers. The growing organic market can provide the opportunity, but it is challenging to start your own farm without proper planning.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released the revised SSBCI Capital Program Policy Guidelines on December 15, 2022.

Linking development finance and food systems can be a daunting undertaking for any community. Research on the current ecosystem of food systems finance has positioned CDFA to identify key strategies for the path ahead in this work. The Food Systems...

Regenerative farms rely on small-to-mid scale, aligned infrastructure to process, transport, and market their products. These middle infrastructure businesses help to improve farm income and bolster regional food economies while providing...

Subsidizing business investment in distressed neighborhoods, by itself, is a subsidy for gentrification, not a way to get residents into good jobs. What neighborhood residents need is help in accessing jobs throughout the local economy, inside and...

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food and Transformational Investing in Food Systems Initiative (TIFS) released a comprehensive new report that gives investors a roadmap of creative finance strategies that support entrepreneurs, farmers,...

Gener8tor produced this summary/reading guide of the SSBCI guidance that the U.S. Department of the Treasury released on November 10, 2021.

This November 2021 Fact Sheet from the U.S. Department of the Treasury discusses the five types of SSBCI programs. The programs available under SSBCI are 1) Venture Capital Programs, 2) Loan Participation Programs, 3) Loan Guarantee Programs, 4)...

CDFA’s analysis of the November 2021 SSBCI Capital Program Policy Guidelines is meant to provide a high-level overview of key provisions and is not comprehensive of all updates and changes to the April 2014 policy guidelines.

The Angel Funders Report 2021, published by the Angel Capital Association, uses verified data provided directly by active angel investing groups. The report is based on information collected from a variety of ACA member groups, including some of the...

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) reauthorizes and amends the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program. ARPA provides a combined $10 billion to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to help...

This white paper, authored by three researchers at Drexel University's Nowak Metro Finance Lab, argues that to drive a recovery that expands opportunity and innovation, local leaders would be well put to think about ways they can maximize SSBCI...

Automation, shifting demographics, COVID-19 and increased telework opportunities are reshaping the workforce landscape amid shifting industry needs. Counties, through local and regional partnerships and workforce development boards, are working with...

Through data analysis supported by stakeholder interviews and case studies, this research from the National League of Cities identifies factors that support local engagement in regional economies, how these factors vary for urban and rural places,...

Recognizing the urgency of the pandemic and related crises, on June 7, 2021, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York approached the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance to write a report about the current landscape of capital sources for community investment...

During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we explored how investing in food-centered redevelopment can restore local food systems infrastructure, catalyze additional neighborhood development, and protect healthy,...

Throughout the CDFA EDA RLF Best Practices Program, several common characteristics emerged from high performing RLFs. The best practices outlined in this guide synthesize these exceptional traits and address the strategies employed by successful EDA...

This guide, authored by CDFA and Skeo, provides an overview of various development finance tools and suggestions for how communities could use these tools to finance projects in Opportunity Zones. Each section includes additional resources to learn...

Communities that face socioeconomic challenges often lack the capacity to undertake the use of many financing tools that are used for economic growth and development. In urban, rural, and suburban communities alike, communities are exploring locally...

In evaluating incentives, everything depends on the details: how much in incentives it takes to truly cause a firm to locate or expand, the multiplier effects, the effects of jobs on employment rates, how jobs affect tax revenue versus public...

The Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), a national collaboration of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, delivers timely information on small business financing needs, decisions, and outcomes to policymakers, lenders, and service providers. The report...

Can women and minorities get the loans they need to buy and operate farms? According to USDA survey data, these "socially disadvantaged" farmers and ranchers get a disproportionately small share of farm loans. More detailed information isn’t...

As the investment community in the United States, particularly within the fields of sustainable, responsible, and impact investing, shows an increasing appetite for investing in sustainable agriculture and food systems across asset classes, a subset...

The U.S. Department of the Interior provides steps and answered questions about financing a tribal or native-owned business.

This document, “Access to Capital and Credit in Native Communities: A Data Review” (Data Review) begins to answer the questions: Where does Native America stand now in terms of capital and credit access? What has been the effect of new action and...

Research and written by CDFA, this white paper is part of a series examining the potential creation of a food systems asset class which supports the market growth of local and regional food systems which meet the economic, social, environmental, and...

This report overviews the findings of the 2017 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS). The SBCS, a national collaboration of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, provides timely information on small business financing needs, decisions, and outcomes to policy...

This report, produced by The PEW Charitable Trusts, examines how state governments can find solutions to policies that undermine opportunities for investment and job creation when businesses spend too much time or money on inefficient regulatory...

Abby Goldenfarb discusses unique development financing solutions for mixed-use development.

Carlos Mello, the Director of Business and Finance at the Finance Authority of Maine, walks through bond financing deals and explore strategies for maximizing the tool in New England, particularly focusing on providing capital to existing businesses...

John Ruth, Managing Partner at CTBH Partners, LLC, walks through bond financing deals and explore strategies for maximizing the tool in New England, particularly focusing on providing capital to existing businesses and critical infrastructure.

Vincent DiCara, Owner of DiCara Training and Consulting, LLC, discusses access to capital and the benefits of leveraging public sector support for even greater private sector investment and explore a variety of programs available in the region.

Thomas Porter, Director of Commercial Lending at the Vermont Economic Development Authority, discusses unique development financing solutions for mixed-use development.

James Key-Wallace, Executive Director at New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, discusses access to capital and the benefits of leveraging public sector support for even greater private sector investment and explore a variety of programs...

Brian Hagan discusses the state's economic development finance climate, access to capital opportunities and prospect for economic advancement. In addition, Hagan also discusses what's going on in the statehouse and how the political environment on...

Maik focuses on how bonds can be used today to provide a significant portion of a project's capital stack with a special focus on bond financing programs in Florida.

The Models and Guidelines document will help the general public, elected officials, and community development advocates understand through case studies and best practices how TIF works, and that it can spur redevelopment.

As part of the CDFA Brownfields Technical Assistance Program, this third installment of the Brownfields Financing Webinar Series focuses on the recent allocation of $3.5 billion in New Markets Tax Credit awards by the U.S. Treasury Department’s CDFI...

Stroudwater Associates demonstrates the capital planning and access to capital for hospital and healthcare facility projects, listed the process of developing a financing strategy and case studies.

Wyatt Jones, Senior Commercial Lender for the Colorado Housing & Finance Authority (CHFA), discusses several state capital access programs offered by CHFA.

Mike O'Donnel of Colorado Lending Source explains several programs offered by the Small Business Administration.

As part of the CDFA Brownfields Technical Assistance Program, this debut webinar highlights communities that have successfully employed the development finance toolbox to transform former brownfield sites into economic assets. Learn how tools such...

The CDFA Brownfields Financing Toolkit provides communities with an easy-to-use, best practices resource on brownfields redevelopment. The toolkit brings together the best financing concepts and techniques to provide a comprehensive response to...

Mark Lieberman, Chief Start-Up Officer presented on Oregon State University's Advantage Accelerator and entrepreneurial thinking for financing.

In this presentation by Michael Homeier of Homeier & Law, P.C., the two types of crowdfunding are explained.

Brent Jeffcoat of Pope Zeigler Law Firm discusses the different financing strategies and sources that can be utilized. Jeffcoat also provides several TIF case studies.

Jon Atkinson at South Coast Angel Fund explains the complexities of creating an angel fund.

Kyle Arganbright, COO and Co-Founder of Sandhills State Bank, discusses the role of banks and different techniques in which a business or entrepreneur can obtain capital. The presentation also touches on he role of the Nebraska Enterprise Fund in...