First Industries Fund

The First Industries Fund is a loan, loan guarantee, and grant program aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism industries. The program is administered by both the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Guidelines:

• First Industries Agriculture Guidelines (Adobe PDF)
• First Industries Tourism Guidelines (Adobe PDF)

Uses:

Loans and Loan Guarantees: Land and building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment purchase and upgrades, working capital Grants: Planning and predevelopment activities.

Funding:

Loans: First Industries Small Business First (SBF) Program for Tourism and Agriculture loans up to $200,000 or 50% of total eligible project costs, whichever is less; First Industries Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) Program for Tourism and Agriculture loans up to $500,000 or 50% of total project cost, whichever is less -- Loan Guarantees: 50% of outstanding principal balance up to $2.5 million -- Grants: Up to $250,000.

Eligibility:

Please refer to program guidelines for eligible applicants for loans, loan guarantees and grants.

Terms:

Please refer to First Industries, SBF, and MELF program guidelines.

Where to Apply:

Loans: Area Loan Organizations for First Industries SBF; Customer Service Center and Electronic Single Application for Assistance for First Industries MELF. -- Loan Guarantees: Enrolled lending institutions – (Lending institutions wishing to enroll should contact DCED’s Center for Private Financing at 717-783-1109). -- Grants: Customers Service Center and Electronic Single Application for Assistance.