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Access to Financing


Bridge Loan Program

Short-Term Bridge Funding to Help You Access Reimbursement-based Grant Dollars Faster

The ANCA Bridge Loan Program helps small businesses and farms move forward with reimbursable grant projects — without waiting for grant funds to arrive.

 

Why this program exists:

  • Start your grant-funded project sooner
  • Cover upfront costs while waiting for reimbursement
  • Access quick, flexible financing designed for your needs

Loan Highlights:

  • •  Loan Amount: Starting at $5,000
  • •  Interest Rate: ~4% APR
  • •  Term: Up to 6 months
  • •  Repayment: One-time payment after grant reimbursement
  • •  Fast Decisions: Typically within 7–10 business days
    ✔ Multiple loans allowed per project (must repay each before the next)
    ✔ Simple, streamlined application process

Who Is Eligible?

You may qualify if you:

  • •  Have been awarded a reimbursable grant
  • •  Cannot access other bridge financing
  • •  Have a financially stable business or farm

What You’ll Need to Apply:

  • •  Loan application
  • •  Grant award letter (or application for pre-qualification)
  • •  Project budget & timeline
  • •  Business financials (2 years + current)
  • •  Recent bank statements

How It Works:

  • •  Apply with your grant and financial information
  • •  Get Approved (typically within 7–10 business days)
  • •  Receive Funds to start or complete your project
  • •  Repay once your grant funds are received

 

Application materials will be posted soon. 

 

 


PAST PROJECT: The SOIL Loan Fund

The SOIL Loan program — a collaboration between ANCA and Foodshed Capital — was established in 2022 to provide flexible, zero-interest financing to small farm and food businesses to help them grow, increase their stability, and strengthen food system security. The SOIL Loan Fund was designed to support food producers who have difficulty accessing financing through conventional loan programs due to challenges and risks inherent in small-scale farming.

The following North Country small farm projects were supported by the SOIL Loan Fund:

  • •  Della Terra Farm (pictured) in Castorland, N.Y. to develop a commercial composting operation
  • •  Donahue’s Livestock Farms in North Bangor, N.Y. to renovate and purchase equipment for a specialty butcher shop in Malone, N.Y.
  • •  Mace Chasm Farm in Keeseville, N.Y. to install a climate controlled storage facility that allows the farm to expand its tree nursery operations
  • •  Reber Rock Farm in Essex, N.Y. to purchase a walk-in freezer that provides organizational space and storage for pastured meats
  • •  Tangleroot Farm in Essex, N.Y. to purchase a tractor
  • •  Tucker’s Black Angus Ranch in Brushton, N.Y. to purchase three retail freezers for marketing their sustainably produced meats