ESD has capitalized over $600,000, making funds available to five community-based corporations to administer and make loans to small retail and service businesses in their service areas. 

The two primary forms of assistance are:

• Working capital loans of up to $15,000 for terms not to exceed five  years.  Loans may be used for, but not limited to:  upgrading display lighting, advertising and promotion, payroll for additional staff and training, purchase of computers to enhance inventory control, and the purchase of display cabinets, furniture and fixtures.
• Fixed asset loans of up to $20,000 for terms not to exceed seven years.  Loans may be used for, but not limited to:  acquisition or improvement of real property, including interior improvements and remodeling, building façade improvements and signage.

• Eligible applicants include for-profit retail, professional or commercial service businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, located within the specific service delivery area served by the administering corporation.
• Eligible uses of working capital loans include inventory, upgrading display lighting, advertising and promotion, payroll, computer hardware and software, display cabinets, furniture and fixtures.
• Borrowers must have at least a 10% equity interest in the project or business.

The administering corporations that manage the Revolving Loan Trust Funds conduct their own program marketing and intake, screening, credit analysis, closings and loan servicing.

Active CDRLTF Administering Corporation: 

Credit, Inc. c/o SOBRO

555 Bergen Avenue - 3rd Floor

Bronx, NY 10455

718/732-7540 (SOBRO)

Service Area: The Grand Concourse and major commercial strips intersecting the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, from 138th Street in the south to Fordham Road in the north, and from the Major Deegan Highway in the west to Bruckner Boulevard/Bronx River Parkway in the east, Bronx County.

Contact: Ines Marino Torres

[email protected]



Northfield Community Local Development Corp.

160 Heberton Avenue Staten Island, NY 10302

718/442-7351

Service Area: Port Richmond Avenue between Richmond Terr. and Walker Ave., and Richmond Terr. between Port Richmond Ave. and Maple Ave., Richmond County

Contact: Joan Catalano

[email protected]