Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Apply through the PA Enterprise eGrants system (PA DCED).

PA DCED — Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program

A Pennsylvania state tax credit for owners of agricultural assets who sell or lease those assets to a certified beginning farmer, administered by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development.



Owners of agricultural assets (established farmers/landowners) who sell or lease land, equipment, or other ag assets to a Pennsylvania-certified beginning farmer. The direct applicant is the asset owner, so the program is producer-facing.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

Transition

Legal & Finance

Credit equals 5% of the sale price (maximum $32,000) or 10% of annual rental income (maximum $7,000 per year). A statewide annual cap of $5 million applies across all applicants. Instrument is a tax credit (no matching Airtable instrument option).

Apply through an enrolled lender, which works with the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the guarantee.

PA DCED - Center for Private Financing

A Pennsylvania loan-guarantee program, administered through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (PA DCED), that supports the agriculture and tourism industries — including farm operations — for land/building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment, and working capital.



- For-profit business enterprises, including corporations, limited liability companies, sole proprietors, cooperatives, and partnerships.
- Non-profit organizations.
- The applicant must be engaged in agriculture-related or tourism-related activities as defined in the program guidelines.
- The project must relate to the promotion and development of agriculture or tourism within Pennsylvania.
- The applicant must be obtaining a loan from a commercial lending institution or a community development financial institution.
- An enrolled lending institution may apply for the guarantee on behalf of the borrower.
- The guarantee cannot support working capital lines of credit or the refinancing of existing debt.
- The Commonwealth or a Commonwealth authority may not be providing matching financing to the loan being guaranteed.
- At least $500,000 of private funds must be invested in the project.
- Collateral for the loan must be sufficient to cover the full amount of the loan.

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Infrastructure

Guarantees 50% of principal up to $2.5 million (up to 90% for agricultural projects) for land/building acquisition and construction, machinery/equipment, and working capital.

https://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/Login.aspx

Pennsylvania DCED — Customer Service

The Next Generation Farmer Loan Program uses federal tax-exempt financing to reduce a farmer’s interest rate for capital purchases, such as the purchase of farm land or agricultural machinery and equipment.



- Beginning and first-time farmers.
- Borrower must be a permanent resident of Pennsylvania when the loan is issued.
- Borrower must be at least 18 years of age when the loan application is submitted.
- Borrower must work with a lending institution to obtain credit support for the financing.
- Borrower must meet the lender's credit standards.
- Borrower must document to the lender's satisfaction access to adequate cash flow, working capital, farm equipment, and livestock, if appropriate.
- Borrower must be the sole owner and principal user of the project.
- Borrower must not have had any prior direct or indirect ownership interest in a substantial amount of land, defined as a parcel exceeding 30% of the median farm size in the county where the land is located.
- An individual with prior ownership of land may still be eligible if they did not participate in the operation of a farm.
- Ownership or material participation by the borrower's spouse or minor child is treated as ownership or material participation by the borrower.

- Program Guidelines (PDF): https://dced.pa.gov/download/next-generation-farmer-guidelines/?wpdmdl=84578

Historically Underserved

The lender determines the interest rate and the terms of repayment.

List of Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Funding Opportunities