U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) The SBA offers loans that are available to small businesses in order to acquire buildings, equipment and working capital. Of the most common are the Guaranteed Loan Programs: the 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program, the 7(m) MicroLoan Program and the 504 Certified Development Company Program. Also available are the LowDoc, FASTRAK, Minority Prequalification Loan Program, Women’s Prequalification Loan Program, CAPLines, International Trade Loan Program, Exporting Working Capital Program and the DELTA. Under 7(a) the SBA guarantees up to $750,000; up to 80% of loans of $100,000 or less and 75% on loans of more than $100,000. Guaranty fees are based on maturity and the SBA’s share on loans of one year or less, the fee is 0.25%; on loans of more than one year, where the SBA exposure is $80,000 or less, 2%; where the SBA share is more than $80,000, fees are figured on an incremental scale. (904) 443-1900

The Florida Energy Loan Program was established to provide low interest loans to encourage eligible Florida businesses to reduce their energy consumption and increase energy efficiency of their operations. All Florida businesses, located and licensed in Florida, with no more than 200 employees, and which have been profitable for at least 2 years prior to application, are eligible. (407) 823-5554 * (407) 362-5625

Enterprise Bonds are sponsored by the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC). The FDFC is a new independent financing corporation authorized by the legislature to serve the financing needs of Florida’s business community in an effort to create family-wage jobs in the state. The Board includes representatives from local development organizations and the state’s largest commercial banks. The Corporation is an operating affiliate of Enterprise Florida. The goal of the Enterprise Bond Program, a tax-exempt, fixed asset financing program, is to enable small manufacturers to purchase land, buildings and capital equipment to expand their operations. Bond proceeds may not be used to refinance existing debt or for working capital. (407) 316-4646

The Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC) will finance up to the lesser of 90% of cost or 80% of appraised value for real estate and 80% of cost for equipment. If 100% financing is needed, non-FDFC funded assets, owned free and clear, can be pledged as additional collateral. The minimum loan size is $500,000 and the maximum of $2.5 million. The program benefits borrowers by providing low, tax-exempt, fixed interest rates with terms up to 15 years for real estate and 7-10 years for equipment. For further information, contact the Florida Development Finance Corporation, 390 North Orange Avenue, Suite 1300, Orlando, FL 32801. (407) 425-5313.

The Technology Investment Fund makes co-investments with Florida companies in promising technology-related projects with near-term commercial potential. The fund’s purpose is to increase technology development in the state by investing in technology development projects that have the potential to generate investment-grade technologies of importance to the state’s economy, as evidenced by the willingness of private businesses to co-invest in such projects. Contact the Technology Department, Enterprise Florida. (407) 316-4600

Export Finance - The Florida Export Finance Corporation makes available pre and post-shipment working capital to small and medium sized Florida exporters. Programs include state-supported direct loans and guarantees, as well as packaging services that provide access to EXIM Bank and SBA export finance and working capital guaranty programs. (305) 870-5027

Eligibility

l Shipments must be from Florida

l Exported products do not have to be made in Florida

l Exporters must be small/medium sized Florida companies

l Exporters must have firm purchase orders

l Must have been turned down by a lender for financing or apply jointly with a lender.