Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation leads state in providing SBA 504 loans to small businesses

For the third straight year, Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation is the state's top lender of popular U.S. Small Business Administration 504 (five-oh-four) loans. Fifty-eight small businesses received a total of $39.3 million from the Statewide CDC during Fiscal Year 2022 that ended September 30. The $39.3 million represents nearly 30 percent of all SBA 504 loans last year by the state's five CDCs. The SBA certifies Indiana Statewide CDC to work with local Indiana lenders to issue SBA 504 loans. The 504 loans help owners of expanding or startup small businesses buy real estate, buildings and equipment. The main feature of the 504 loan program is that it allows borrowers to pay a below-market down payment and repay the loan with a fixed low, long-term interest rate. The Indiana Statewide CDC's $39.3 million contribute to a total loan value of $98.2 mil-lion when counting the bank share of the loans and the borrowers' down payment. The SBA guarantees a portion of the loans. A rush of 12 loans in the final month of the fiscal year are a good sign, says Jean Wojtowicz (woe-tow-witz), executive director of Indiana Statewide CDC. "As Federal interest rates increase month-by-month, SBA 504 loans remain the best deal for small-business owners. Small-business owners appear to be optimistic about the future of their own companies, their ability to attract talented workers and the economic outlook for their local economies." Loans made by the Indiana Statewide CDC and their partner banks cover diverse industries in various regions of the state. Electricians, manufacturers, a veterinarian, a diesel repair shop, a car dealership, fitness studio…even a chimney sweep were among small businesses funded by the loans. Background: Indiana Statewide CDC has approved over $760 million of financing for more than 1,600 Indiana companies since 1983, creating or saving more than 30,000 jobs, and is the most prolific CDC in Indiana. These projects represent more than $1.9 billion in expansion financing for Indiana businesses. Executive Director Jean Wojtowicz says, "SBA 504 loans help small businesses grow because borrowing companies can put as little as 10 percent down and receive a low, fixed interest rate for as long as 25 years. The SBA guarantees bonds sold privately to finance a portion of the loan. With the guarantee, we can offer more favorable loan rates than generally available to small businesses."