BUSINESS LOANS & GRANTS
Headwaters RC&D Area, Inc. Revolving Loan Fund Programs are designed to stimulate economic development activity by assisting the private sector to create and retain jobs in Southwest Montana by filling the funding gap when alternative sources of public and private financing are not available and/or are inadequate.
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Our main lending function is to provide an alternative choice for entrepreneurs and new or existing business owners who do not qualify for or have access to traditional commercial bank funds. We also partner with banks to meet financing needs. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $150,000 (may be higher in certain circumstances). Funds may be used for working capital needs; property and equipment; remodeling; inventory; or to purchase an existing business. Additional uses may be considered.
Typically, interest rates range from 6% to 8% (fixed for the term of the loan). Rates are determined at time of loan application depending on loan program and current interest rate environments. Flexible terms of generally 5-20 years depending on use of funds and useful life of collateral being financed. Loans are collateralized with available assets with flexible coverage levels and subordinate collateral positions. Personal assets may be required.
Fees include a 1%-2% origination fee, $175 administrative fee due with the loan application. Additional closing costs may be required, and will be determined at time of loan closing. Business development and technical assistance services are available during the application process, as well as over the life of the loan.
LOAN APPLICATION PROCESS
Although many services provided by Headwaters are free of charge, it is important to understand that in order to facilitate a productive counseling session, the client should develop as much information as possible about the business they would like to start or expand.
1. Contact Headwaters RC&D Area, Inc.'s Loan Department to determine preliminary qualifications and documentation needed to complete the loan application process
Email: ktaylor@bldc.net
Phone: 406-533-6777
2. Gather Required Documentation
A Headwaters Loan Officer will work with you to analyze your loan request and ask you to complete our loan application, provide financial information, including a list of project costs. All of the Headwaters loan programs require a formal Business Plan. At this point you may be referred to Headwaters Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for assistance in developing and/or reviewing your business plan. A bank denial letter is also required.
Additional application documentation will be determined by the Loan Officer. An appraisal or determination of value will be required for all real estate related requests, as well as environmental information.
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3. Loan Underwriting Process
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Once it has been determined that your loan application is complete, the underwriting process will begin. At that time a determination of financial eligibility will be established, assuming that sufficient collateral is available to meet specific program requirements.
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4. Loan Approval Process
Once it is determined that the loan application meets the specific program requirements, including meeting all fiscal and job creation/retention thresholds, a Credit Request is presented to Headwaters Loan Review Committee (LRC). All of loans are approved by a nine member LRC comprised of members from a variety of occupations throughout Headwaters seven county economic development area.
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5. Loan Closing
Once a loan is approved by Headwaters Loan Review Committee, the closing process begins. Collateral valuations, title commitments (if real estate is involved), and any other required documentation must be received by Headwaters prior to execution of loan documents. At this point, loan documentation is executed and the funding process is completed.
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The entire loan application process from beginning to loan closing may take up to 30-45 days depending on the complexity of the loan request, as well as the time needed to develop an acceptable business plan. It is the desire of Headwaters to expedite a loan request, as well as structure the request to meet the financing needs of the loan applicant. We are dedicated to providing the technical assistance necessary to meet our common goals.
For more information contact:
Kerry Taylor
Loan Assistant
406-533-6777
For forms regarding application for a loan, a typical business loan checklist and other information, please click the links below to view/download the PDF.
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All information must be complete, signed, and delivered to Headwaters RC&D Staff in order to be considered a “complete package.” Incomplete applications will not be considered. For assistance with filling out the loan application please contact Kerry Taylor, 406-533-6777 or ktaylor@bldc.net.
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To submit an application for consideration of funding please provide the following materials:
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Business Plan (Businesses < 2 years old) or One-Page Project Summary (>2 years old)
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Business financial statements for the last 3 years
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Income Statement
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Balance Sheet
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Business tax returns for previous 3 years
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Current (within 60 days) financial statements
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Income Statement
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Balance Sheet
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Two years projected cash flows with assumptions
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Legal Entity Documentation (Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Articles of Organization, etc), including local business license.
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Personal Information (for each 20% or greater owner)
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Personal Tax Returns for last 3 years
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Personal Financial Statements (within 60 days)(no need to re-fill this out if you downloaded the loan application in item 1 of the main list)
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Resumes
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Project Cost Documentation
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Bank denial letters from 2 banks
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If you are unsure if your project qualifies for our loan funds, or if you have any questions regarding the requirements of our application please contact Kerry Taylor, at 406-533-6777 or email at ktaylor@bldc.net. Once you have your application materials compiled (digital copies strongly preferred) please email Banner to setup a secure upload folder for your project.
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Hard copy files can be brought or mailed to the Butte Local Development Corporation, 65 E. Broadway, 5th Floor, Butte, MT 59701.
To schedule an appointment, call or email Kerry Taylor at 406-533-6777 or ktaylor@bldc.net
For assistance in starting up your business, business plan development, market assistance, financial technical assistance and low-cost training, please visit our Small Business Development Center partner at Headwaters RC&D.
BUSINESS GRANTS
Big Sky Trust Fund Grant Program (BSTF)
Prospera helps companies submit grants to the MT Department of Commerce job creation program which has an open grant cycle. These business grants are competitive and only available to companies creating new full-time high-wage jobs in Montana, and that have or growing to have at least 50% of their revenue from out-of-state markets. Grants are submitted on behalf of the local government (city/county) where the business is located.
More information can be found here
MT Incumbent Worker Training Grants (IWT)
The Montana Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) is a wonderful resource for many Montana companies and Prospera is eager to help our members secure these funds. However, not all companies, employees or trainings qualify for this grant. We have compiled a checklist for vetting whether it is appropriate for Propsera members to apply for this grant.
More information can be found here
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Exporting could be the right next move for your business, and our STEP grant can help.The Montana STEP grant, funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, helps new and experienced exporters with expanding in to new international markets. Exporters can get a 50% reimbursement of the cost of international marketing activities to help offset the risk of trying out new markets or new tactics.
More information can be found here
USDA Grants
The US Department of Agriculture offers Rural Business Development Grants (RBEG). These competitive grants are only available 1x per year usually in the spring.
More information can be found here
OUR PARTNERS
