Growing the Innovation Ecosystem in Rural Vermont: Vermont is implementing a venture capital
program to invest in start-ups across the state, with a focus on growing the innovation ecosystem outside
Vermont’s more populous hubs. Areas of concentration include renewable energy, innovative agriculture
solutions, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare companies.
Enabling Diverse Venture Capital Managers in Pennsylvania: In October 2022, Pennsylvania
announced their first commitment of SSBCI funds on behalf of their venture capital program. The
program is focused on supporting venture capital funds led by diverse individuals who, in turn, target
underserved entrepreneurs. The initial $4.5 million was awarded to two funds.
SSBCI Transaction Spotlights
Supporting non-profits in California: Farming Hope, a non-profit that provides
culinary job training to formerly incarcerated and unhoused individuals in San
Francisco, received a $50,000 bridge loan from REDF, a California-based CDFI. The
California Small Business Guarantee Program operated by the California IBank
provided an 80 percent guarantee to enable the transaction.
Providing working capital for manufacturers in Michigan: Global Retool Group
America is a manufacturer of automation equipment and assembly lines for use
by a variety of industries, located in Brighton, Michigan. The company retools,
retrofits, and overhauls of machinery worldwide. Citizens Bank provided the
company its first working capital line of credit, a $7 million facility enabled by the
Michigan Strategic Fund’s collateral support program.
Expanding access to equity financing in Kansas: WorkTorchis a Wichita-
based, service industry career platform founded by sisters Deborah Gladney and
AngelaMuhwezi-Hall. Network Kansas and the Kansas Department of Commerce,
through the GROWKS Loan Fund and Equity Programs invested SSBCI funds
inWorkTorch alongside $2.2 million in private financing.
Enabling green innovation in Massachusetts: Aeroshield,awoman-
ledcompany, is manufacturing advanced materials inHyde Parkfor more energy-
eicient windows.MassVenturesinvested SSBCI funds to the company to expand
its manufacturing capabilities, grow its team, and accelerate product development
&partnerships to bring the firstAeroShield-insulated window products to
market.SSBCI funds were part of an overall $4M round.
Helping rural communities thrive in New Hampshire: Montshire Farms, a 5th
generation New Hampshire farm purchased a meat processing facility with the
help of a $2.6 million loan from a community bank supported by New Hampshire’s
loan participation program. The loan not only provided much-needed capital
for Montshire Farms to purchase the facility and expand operations but was
instrumental in keeping the local farming community healthy and thriving by
providing a local option for meat processing.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE
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