First Industries Fund
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The First Industries (FIF) program, administered by SEDCO, provides loans and loan guarantees for Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism industries. Applicants may use the loans and loan guarantees for land and building acquisition and construction, machinery and equipment purchases and upgrades and working capital. 

Eligible agriculture applicants include production agriculture, agribusiness, wholesale farm commodity sales, farmer’s markets, energy related activities impacting agriculture or agribusiness, and activities, which implement best practices related to agriculture waste, waste products and byproducts or fertilizer.

Eligible tourism applicants include PA destination sites, hospitality establishments with close proximity to PA destination sites, businesses that develop and market travel packages targeting out of state visitors, public/private partnerships formed to enhance uses of Commonwealth owned resources, tourism activities that promote overnight visits to Pennsylvania and other projects or activities as determined.

Applicants may apply for loans up to $200,000 or 50% of total eligible project costs, whichever is less. The maximum loan amount for working capital is $100,000 or 50% of total eligible projects costs, whichever is less. Equipment purchases may be eligible for loans up to $5,000,000, or 50% of total eligible costs, whichever is less. In conjunction with the FIF loan applicants must have another source of funding equaling at least 50% of eligible project costs. Loan terms are up to 15 years for land and buildings, up to 10 years for machinery and equipment and up to 3 years for working capital. Rates are currently at 5%. FIF loans must be secured with the highest lien available on collateral of assets financed and/or other available collateral. Personal guarantees are also required of principals with 20% or more ownership. Applicants may acquire loan guarantees for 50% of any outstanding principal balance up to $2,500,000.

For more information regarding the First Industries Fund loan program, please contact Kenetha Hansen, Vice President, Economic Development, at 717-846-8879 or complete the contact form.