The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) Business Lending Program helps local businesses find ways to succeed. The Commission’s Business Lending Services Division has programs to assist in the expansion, start-up and retention of small businesses for the purpose of creating new jobs or retaining existing jobs.

Pennsylvania businesses in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties can apply for low interest financing if they are unable to fully finance projects through conventional sources.  Specific terms and conditions vary according to the funding source that is used for the project.

Eligible businesses include manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, business to business service companies, the hospitality industry (including hotel/motel or restaurant/food service operations), defense conversion enterprises, recycling enterprises, computer-related businesses, research and development enterprises, agricultural producers and enterprises, construction enterprises and child day-car enterprises.  Special programs are available for businesses engaged in the following: Community Economic Development, Pollution Prevention, Underground Storage Tank Upgrades, Exporting, and Pennsylvania Minority Businesses.