Summit Financing Solutions
Summit Financing Solutions offers two programs for small businesses looking to obtain financing. These two programs are the Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and the State Lottery Terminal (SLoT) Fund.
Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
The Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund Program is a pool of money granted by federal and state entities for the purpose of making loans to create and/or save jobs. Borrowers repay loans and the money is returned to the RLF to make other loans. In that manner, the RLF becomes an ongoing or “revolving” financial tool.
The Summit Financing Solutions Revolving Loan Fund serves as a source for financing for small businesses seeking to locate or expand in Maryland’s Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties. Established in 1980, the program has facilitated the creation and expansion of businesses that have created or saved jobs in the Appalachian region.
- Loan amounts range from $10,000 - $500,000
- Eligible Purposes: business acquisition, commercial real estate acquisition, building improvements, equipment purchase, leasehold improvements, business start-up costs, and working capital
- Ineligible Uses: Real estate for speculation, projects that do not create or retain permanent jobs, and projects that otherwise qualify for financing through traditional lenders or other programs
- Eligible entities include for-profit corporations, non-profit organizations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships located in Garrett, Allegany, or Washington County in western Maryland
- Use of standard underwriting practices; factors to be considered include repayment capacity, financial strength of the company and guarantors, industry and management experience, and collateral protection
- Maximum loan terms are 5 years for working capital, and up to 15 years for fixed assets
- Interest rates are tied to the prime interest rate and are currently prime plus 1 percent, with a floor of five percent
- The project to be financed must create or retain a minimum of one job for each $30,000 of RLF funds requested
- Application fee of $250 (non-refundable) for loan processing. Loans between $10,000-$25,000 will require a $25 application fee.
- Approved borrowers are assessed a one and one-half percent (1.5%) loan origination fee at closing. Loans between $10,000-$25,000 will have $0 in origination fees.
- Collateral required includes Deeds of Trust, Machinery and Equipment liens, Personal Guarantys, and Key Man Life Insurance
State Lottery Terminal (SLoT) Fund
The State Lottery Terminal (SLoT) Fund, under Maryland law, provides for 1.5% of the proceeds generated from video lottery terminals (slots) to be contributed to the State Lottery Terminal (SLoT) Account to be distributed to small, minority and women-owned businesses (Targeted Businesses). All of Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties are recognized as a targeted area for the SLoT Program and represent TCCWMD's primary jurisdiction for utilization of SLoT funds for business loans. SLoT funding is generated from the State's six casinos - Hollywood Casino Perryville, MGM National Harbor Casino, Ocean Downs in Worchester County, Maryland Live! in Anne Arundel County, Rocky Gap Casino in Allegany County, and Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore City. Funding will be available to small, minority and women-owned businesses located throughout Maryland.
- Loan amounts range from $10,000 - $1,000,000
- Eligible Purposes: business acquisition and expansion, owner occupied commercial real estate, lease-hold improvements, purchase of equipment, start-up costs, working capital, professional/technical assistance, and refinancing of existing debt under certain circumstances
- Interest rates are tied to the Prime Rate and is currently Prime plus 1%
- Terms of up to 5 years for working capital and up to 15 years for fixed assets
- Use of standard underwriting practices- factors to be considered include repayment capacity and debt service coverage, financial strength of the company and guarantors, industry and management experience, and collateral protection
- A Business Plan is required
- Personal credit score of 650 is generally required, however lower credit scores are considered
- Personal guaranties of the debt are required from all owners with 20% or greater interest
- Minimum equity injection of 10% for start-up businesses is generally required
- Application fee of $250 (non-refundable) for loan processing. Loans between $10,000-$25,000 will require a $25 application fee.
- Approved borrowers are assessed a one percent (1%) loan origination fee at closing
- Collateral required includes Deeds of Trust, Machinery and Equipment liens, Personal Guarantys, and Key Man Life Insurance
