ANCA Bridge Loan Program

Short-term bridge funding to help small businesses and farms 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. It lets borrowers start a grant-funded project sooner, cover upfront costs while waiting for reimbursement, and access quick, flexible financing.

Program goals as published by ANCA: provide nimble and flexible bridge funding to small business and farm owners who do not have sufficient cash flow to execute reimbursable grants or complete other financing; ensure quick turnaround on application and loan processing so grant recipients can move forward quickly; and evaluate, understand and limit ANCA's financial risk.

You may qualify if you:

• Have been awarded a reimbursable grant (the business must have secured a confirmed reimbursable grant award)

• Cannot access other bridge financing (the business must self-certify that it cannot access other bridge capital)

• Have a financially stable business or farm (must demonstrate a high likelihood of continued financial solvency)

Non-binding pre-qualification: A business or farm may seek a bridge loan while still applying for a reimbursable grant. Applicants should have identified a grant they believe they are eligible for and have a reasonable chance of receiving; the grant application can be submitted in lieu of an award letter. ANCA reviews the materials and determines whether the applicant appears to qualify — a non-binding determination that does not guarantee funding. Qualified applicants are then invited to submit their award letter to complete the application.

Exclusions: ANCA employees cannot apply, and companies in which an ANCA employee is a partial owner cannot apply. Anyone materially involved in a project cannot review that loan application.

• Loan amount: starting at $5,000 (minimum $5,000, with possible exceptions case-by-case)

• Interest rate: approximately 4% APR (will vary from time to time)

• Term: up to 6 months — until the grant is reimbursed but no longer than 6 months (exceptions case-by-case)

• Repayment: one-time balloon payment after grant reimbursement; payments are not amortized. Full outstanding balance plus interest is due upon receipt of grant reimbursement and no later than ten days later, or upon the grantor's denial of payment(s).

• Fees: origination fee of $250 for the first loan and $100 for subsequent loans; light underwriting may occur before each new loan disbursement with a fee of up to $100

• Security: promissory note and loan guarantee

• Multiple loans: multiple bridge loans are possible over the course of a grant (advances on multiple reimbursement payments), but each loan must be repaid in full before any subsequent loan is disbursed

• Disbursement: funds disbursed in one lump sum; ANCA tracks disbursements and project milestones

• Monitoring: borrower must notify ANCA when a reimbursement request is submitted by sending a copy of the request; periodic check-ins including site visits, monthly or at milestones

• Default: if a borrower cannot repay within the term through no fault of their own (e.g. all documentation submitted but the grantor is not paying in a timely manner, or other extenuating circumstances), the borrower enters a six-month grace period during which interest stops accruing (discretionary with ANCA). If the failure to repay is within the borrower's control, the borrower enters a six-month pre-default period with a loan extension fee of 2% of the outstanding balance and monthly interest-only payments until paid in full. Past six months of default, interest continues to accrue and ANCA will pursue all avenues, including legal action, to secure full payment.

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.

Complete the online application form at https://forms.gle/7j6nZ9zTWjKyL3aWA, or use the printable application form. Required documents:

• Loan application

• Copy of the grant award / grant award letter including the grant amount and reimbursement terms (if reimbursement terms are not included, ANCA asks the applicant to provide this information plus documents showing completion of the grant process). Applicants seeking pre-qualification may submit the grant application instead of an award letter.

• Project budget and timeline, plus any additional helpful information

• Business financials including year-end balance sheets and profit & loss statements (minimum of two full years plus year-to-date, unless otherwise approved), ideally with tax returns from the same two years

• Last three months of bank statements

Underwriting is intentionally light, focused on grant validity and likelihood of repayment. A Bridge Loan Committee reviews the submitted financials and completes a Bridge Loan Underwriting Check List. Decision goal is 7–10 business days. ANCA reserves the right to refuse any application for any legal reason. Questions: 518.891.6200.

• ANCA Access to Financing page: https://www.adirondack.org/access-to-financing/

• Bridge Loan Program Overview & Application (DOCX): https://www.adirondack.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ANCA-Bridge-Loan-Program-Overview.docx

• ANCA Food Systems program: https://www.adirondack.org/our-work/food-systems/