Lending
Expand your impact with our affordable loans.
Hemphill Community Center
Neon, KY
The Mountain Association finances business and organizations that are key to their Eastern Kentucky communities.
We are a Community Development Financial Institution and a nonprofit—not a bank. This means our loans can offer greater flexibility than those available with a traditional lender.
To go along with our loans, we also offer a number of other services to our clients. Our Business Support program can also pay for all or a portion of a consulting project for your business or organization – from marketing support to Quickbooks training, and more. Our Energy team can conduct a free energy audit of your building to help you find energy savings.
Whether you are just getting started with your business idea, or you are an established business or nonprofit needing a loan to expand your impact, we can find the right kind of affordable financing for you.
Details:
Loans range from $1,000 to over $1 million. Interest rates typically range from 5% to 7.75% with flexible terms. For loans specifically for solar installations, we offer 4% fixed interest with 20 year terms. For loans for energy efficiency upgrades, like a new HVAC for example, we can offer 2.5% fixed interest.
Decisions for loans under $50,000 are typically made within two to 10 business days, once we have all the information we need. Please learn more about our process in this three minute video!
We serve the 54 Appalachian counties in Kentucky.
“With access to a small loan and support, my business was able to stand on its feet. I am where I am today because of the Mountain Association.”
Cynthia Main
Sunhouse Craft
Berea, KY
Here are some things we consider:
- Capacity to repay the loan
- Relevant experience
- Appropriate collateral
- Personal guarantees by business owner
- Basic business plan with projections and/or historical financial information
If you’re ready to apply, please visit the link below. If you have questions, please reach out to Robert Allen, our Lending Director, at robert@mtassociation.org.
In addition to our standard loans, we also offer the following specialty loans:
Flooding
Recovery Loans
We have a new loan, long-term loan option for eligible businesses & organizations impacted by the flooding:
- Amount: $1,000 to $100,000+
- Interest Rate: 0% for the first 12 months and then 3.75% if directly impacted; 0% the first six months and then 3.75% if indirectly impacted by flooding
- Minimal principal payments of $1 per $1,000 (For example, if the loan is for $10,000, principal payment for the 0% interest period will be $10)
- Term: Fixed rate up to 10 years
- Collateral options are flexible
- No origination fees and no prepayment penalties
Emergencies
Emergency Loans
Eligible businesses & organizations can apply for an emergency loan from Mountain Association:
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
- Interest Rate: 3%
- Interest Only for first 12 months
- Term: Up to 5 years
- No application fee, no closing costs, no collateral, no personal guaranty
These loans are available to businesses and non-profits that have experienced an emergency, such as essential equipment breaking down, damage from floods, heavy winds, or fire, etc.
Efficiency
Energy Savings Loans
Whether it’s LED lighting, new HVAC, or insulation, investing in energy upgrades lowers your overhead costs, letting you put more money into your bottom line, your mission, or your community. Our energy team can help you determine what steps you need to take to save money. And if the up-front costs for upgrades are too high, our microloan is an option for eligible businesses and organizations.
The monthly payment is generally equal to or less than the savings on your bill – this means you get the benefits of energy savings without any additional out-of-pocket expense!
- Amount: $1,000 to $50,000
- Interest Rate: 2.5%
- Term: Fixed rate up to 72 months
Please note, these terms are for energy efficiency related items only. We continue to offer our 4% solar loans, outlined here.
Success Stories
Learn how folks are starting, expanding, and improving their small businesses and organizations through our flexible loans.
Housing Can’t Wait: The Plan for Rebuilding Thousands of EKY Homes Post-Flood
Read Housing Can’t Wait: The Plan for Rebuilding Thousands of EKY Homes Post-Flood
Woodworking Business in Stanton, KY Takes Off
Flood Relief Loans
Frontier Housing & Mountain Association Partner for Affordable Housing
Read Frontier Housing & Mountain Association Partner for Affordable Housing
Financial Services Advocate of the Year
Preparing for a Loan
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does the Mountain Association serve?
The Mountain Association supports small business owners, nonprofit leaders and local governments with loans, as well as a variety of other services, including business support and energy services. We serve the 54 Appalachian counties of Kentucky, and we have offices in Berea, Paintsville, and Hazard.
Because we are a Community Development Financial Institution and a nonprofit – not a bank – we can lend to those who would not be able to get a business loan with a traditional lender. Unlike most lenders, we offer flexible payment schedules, and we can pay for all or a portion of a project to help your business or organization succeed – from website development to professional photography, and more. Our energy team can also help facilitate energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations in order for you to save money on utility bills.
Does the Mountain Association provide grants or personal loans?
We do not offer grants or personal loans. We only provide loans for businesses or organizations.
What are your interest rates, terms and collateral?
Interest rates vary, and are based on a risk assessment of each loan as it’s considered. Our loans range from $1,000 to 1,000,000 and up. Interest rates typically range from 5 to 7.75% with flexible terms, depending on the loan purpose, amount and type of business. Please note for loans specifically for solar installations, we offer 4% fixed interest with up to a 20 year term. For loans for energy efficiency upgrades, like a new HVAC for example, we can offer 2.5% fixed interest.
Terms range from one to 20 years, depending on use of proceeds. Loans are usually collateralized and typically require personal guarantees and/or key person insurance.
What factors do you consider when deciding whether or not to make a loan?
We consider the community impact, repayment risk, type of business, experience of the entrepreneur, credit score of the owners (though please don’t let a low credit score deter you from applying- see below for more details!), and purpose of the loan. If the business is just getting started, we consider the business idea. If the business is an existing business, we consider the business history.
If I have a low credit score, can I get a loan from the Mountain Association?
Many of our borrowers have credit scores that disqualify them from getting a traditional bank loan. We look at a variety of factors when deciding on a loan. Though we consider credit score, we also consider your experience as a business owner or entrepreneur, community impact, what you are investing in the business, the business’ financials (if an existing business) and projections, purpose of the loan, and risk. Additionally, we have an option for using your ability to crowdfund as the main criteria for approval. Through these “CrowdMatch Loans,” a credit check is not required.
What is the timeframe for approval of loans?
Once we have all the information we need, decisions for loans under $50,000 are typically made within 2-10 business days. Larger loans have a longer processing time as loans larger than $50,000 must be approved by our loan committee. For these larger loans, after we have received your application and all of the necessary information, a staff member will create the loan proposal and present it to the committee. (The committee generally meets monthly. It can take up to as long as six weeks to get an answer on an approval or denial for these larger loans.)
As a nonprofit, why do you charge an interest rate?
We charge an interest rate to help cover our costs, which can include individual coaching and consulting to clients, salaries, overhead, and the interest we must pay on the borrowed money that we re-lend.
What do I need to provide to apply for a loan?
The information we need varies depending on the size of the loan and the length of time the business has existed. At a minimum, we need the completed and signed loan application. For businesses that are just getting started, we often need a business plan. If you do not have a business plan, please find resources here to learn how to create one. For existing businesses, we often need financials and personal income tax statements for the last three years.
This short video provides more details on the above items and what else you will need to provide during the loan application process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVjvFrdMPeM
Please contact a staff member with any questions.
I have never applied for a business loan and am just getting started with my idea. How can I compare lenders or find other resources?
Venturize is a nonprofit that offers unbiased information about business lending. Their website and glossary can answer questions about different types of loans and lending institutions.
This short video provides more details on start-up business loans and tips on what you should do before you apply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVjvFrdMPeM
You can also find more resources on our Business Support page for tips on starting your business.
.
.
.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Mountain Association is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
