The Progress Fund hires Project Manager for PA Wilds region
The Progress Fund recently announced the hiring of Kristi Wendel as the Project Manager for the PA Wilds region. In this new role, Wendel will support tourism-niche markets (such as breweries, restaurants, B&B’s, outfitters, campgrounds, cabin rentals, lodges, vacation properties, bike shops, cafes, wineries, distilleries, main street businesses, solar projects, etc.) with a focus on providing non-traditional and flexible financing opportunities to help small businesses grow and prosper in rural areas.
The Progress Fund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) headquartered in Greensburg, PA that has served businesses since 1997.
“I’ll be working with new and existing businesses specifically in the 13 designated PA WILDS counties, including Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Northern Centre, Potter, Tioga and Warren. My office is located in Ridgway, PA,” said Wendel.
The Progress Fund lends money for the purchase of real estate, purchase of business equipment, building remodeling/restoration, working capital to cover operating expenses, and more.
“As a CDFI, we are able to offer flexible financing that can be structured to meet each borrower’s unique needs, including flexible collateral requirements, competitive interest rates, seasonal interest only payments, etc.,” Wendel explained. “We can work with Local Development Districts, banks, chambers, Economic Development Corporations, Industrial Development Corporations, etc., or act as a sole lender in a project.”
For more information on past projects the Progress Fund has participated in, click here.
To learn more or to directly connect with Kristi, you can email her at kwendel@progressfund.org. You may also download this flyer!
The Progress Fund is a Community Partner member of the Wilds Cooperative of PA. View The Progress Fund’s profile, and consider leaving a review or recommendation if you’ve collaborated with The Progress Fund in the past, here.
RECENT WCO NEWS & UPDATES
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Picture this: A perfectly curated tablescape alongside slowly flowing water, underneath the shade of a weeping willow. In the background, the sound of kids playing, ducks quacking, and even a summer concert being performed. It’s the scene that Renea Nichols creates almost weekly through her business Spring Creek Picnics, based in Bellefonte — part of the I-80 Frontier landscape of the PA Wilds. - PA Made: Bringing the outdoors in
Mickayla Poland at PA Made has a knack for bringing the outdoors inside. Her artwork is inspired by wildlife, culture and the people of Elk County. And her workspace is, too.
