We believe in creative, flexible solutions for financing emerging and growing working lands entrepreneurs.
SPROUT helps the Loan Fund reach a little further to provide that extra flexibility and patience that some of our borrowers need to succeed. With support from the State of Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative and private philanthropy, SPROUT meets the financing needs of working lands entrepreneurs who might not otherwise be eligible for a VCLF loan.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all prospective borrowers will qualify for SPROUT financing. The Vermont Community Loan Fund offers a suite of business financing options to serve borrowers in a variety of situations and circumstances. Our Business Program staff work with prospects on a case-by-case basis; we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us, and we'll help determine which loan program will best meet your needs.
SPROUT helps the Loan Fund reach a little further to provide that extra flexibility and patience that some of our borrowers need to succeed. With support from the State of Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative and private philanthropy, SPROUT meets the financing needs of working lands entrepreneurs who might not otherwise be eligible for a VCLF loan.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all prospective borrowers will qualify for SPROUT financing. The Vermont Community Loan Fund offers a suite of business financing options to serve borrowers in a variety of situations and circumstances. Our Business Program staff work with prospects on a case-by-case basis; we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us, and we'll help determine which loan program will best meet your needs.
LEARN MORE
Please email our Lending Team at admin@vclf.org, or call us at 802-223-1448.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to):
- Farms & other agricultural operations
- Food processors & producers using predominantly local ingredients
- Foresters & forest products businesses
Preference will be given to start-up or early-stage operations with demonstrated or projected growth. The ideal SPROUT applicant will be a business playing a central role in a local or regional supply chain proposing to undertake a significant growth opportunity, such as the development of a new product or expansion into a new market.
ACCEPTABLE USES
Uses may include:
- Real estate/land acquisition
- Facility construction or improvement
- Equipment
- Inventory
- Working capital
RATES AND TERMS
SPROUT offers low-interest loans of up to $60,000. Terms range from two to six years. SPROUT loans will typically feature two years of 1% interest, and a fixed 2% interest rate thereafter.
BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
Business development & advisory services - consulting, training and counseling - is a key component of our work to foster and support our borrowers’ success. Much of that technical assistance is provided “in-house” by VCLF’s Business Resource Center. We also regularly contract with or provide referrals to third-party sources if we believe their expertise is the best fit for a borrower’s unique operating environment and needs. SPROUT financing will be augmented with business development technical assistance and consulting tailored to meet each borrower’s specific needs, free-of-charge.
WHAT IF MY PROJECT HAS OTHER FINANCING NEEDS?
If your working lands business has a need greater than $60,000 or is otherwise ineligible for SPROUT financing, VCLF offers other flexible, affordable financing options through the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, our Agritourism Loan Program or through our general business loan program.
HOW TO APPLY
We encourage you to speak with us before submitting a loan application. Please email admin@vclf.org or call us at 802-223-1448.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to):
- Farms & other agricultural operations
- Food processors & producers using predominantly local ingredients
- Foresters & forest products businesses
Preference will be given to start-up or early-stage operations with demonstrated or projected growth. The ideal SPROUT applicant will be a business playing a central role in a local or regional supply chain proposing to undertake a significant growth opportunity, such as the development of a new product or expansion into a new market.
ACCEPTABLE USES
Uses may include:
- Real estate/land acquisition
- Facility construction or improvement
- Equipment
- Inventory
- Working capital
RATES AND TERMS
SPROUT offers low-interest loans of up to $60,000. Terms range from two to six years. SPROUT loans will typically feature two years of 1% interest, and a fixed 2% interest rate thereafter.
BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
Business development & advisory services - consulting, training and counseling - is a key component of our work to foster and support our borrowers’ success. Much of that technical assistance is provided “in-house” by VCLF’s Business Resource Center. We also regularly contract with or provide referrals to third-party sources if we believe their expertise is the best fit for a borrower’s unique operating environment and needs. SPROUT financing will be augmented with business development technical assistance and consulting tailored to meet each borrower’s specific needs, free-of-charge.
WHAT IF MY PROJECT HAS OTHER FINANCING NEEDS?
If your working lands business has a need greater than $60,000 or is otherwise ineligible for SPROUT financing, VCLF offers other flexible, affordable financing options through the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, our Agritourism Loan Program or through our general business loan program.
HOW TO APPLY
We encourage you to speak with us before submitting a loan application. Please email admin@vclf.org or call us at 802-223-1448.
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