Community Loans
Ideal when projects costs are
$25,000 to1,000,000
A variety of community loan funds, often referred to as Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs), are available to growing businesses in Racine County with financing needs. These are direct loan programs that usually do not require you to partner with another financial institution to create a financing package.
Reduced Equity Requirements
Reduced Interest Rates
Flexible Loan Terms
To qualify for an RLF the company typically needs to be creating or retaining jobs in the community or providing some other community benefit. Each RLF has different criteria and our dedicated staff can determined the ideal loan for your business.
Why Community Loans?
Benefits
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Flexible Loan Terms
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Below Market Interest Rates
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As Low As 10% Down Payment
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No 3rd Party Lender Required*
Use of Funds
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real estate purchase
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construction/renovation
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Equipment purchase
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Leasehold improvements
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Other uses may be considered
Current Communities Providing Loan Programs
Racine County
City of Racine
City of Burlington
Village of Sturtevant
Village of Union Grove
Village of Waterford
Recent Finance Solutions News
Get confident with your day-to-day bookkeeping. Join CLA for the second session of our QuickBooks Online Training Series, presented by RCEDC and RAMAC, on January 22, 2026, 5–6:30 PM at Gateway Technical College’s SC Johnson iMET Center auditorium. This session covers managing customers and vendors, invoicing, payments, bills, and bank feeds, with hands-on practice in entering and matching transactions.
In this hands-on session, you’ll elevate your bookkeeping skills by learning payroll setup, sales tax, inventory and time tracking, project management, and how to use tags, classes, and apps for deeper business insights.
This downtown Racine grant program has a finite amount of funding, so to maximize the positive impact of the grant program and the revitalization of downtown Racine, eligible applicants will be prioritized based on industry, with retail and restaurants having the highest priority.
CSAL Developers, LLC has acquired the Tichigan Lakes Hilltop Pub and Eatery in the City of Waterford and will reestablish the longtime restaurant as Anchor & Ale. Led by Chad Schmidt and Andrew Luebke, the project introduces a new operating entity that will lease the property and restore the nearly 70-year-old establishment to its roots as a family-friendly, supper club-style destination. The revitalized restaurant will feature a full dinner menu, cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere designed to reconnect with the community and rebuild its customer base. The project was supported through a partnership between RCEDC and Community State Bank, utilizing a Community Loan to advance the turnaround and long-term success of the property.
The purpose of establishing the 2026 Road Construction Micro-Loan Program is to assist businesses located in the construction area, see the map below, during the construction
Hyperion Holdings Inc. has purchased an industrial building at 1800 Clark St. and 1825 Holborn St. in Racine to establish its first brick-and-mortar headquarters. Founded in 2022 by Sam Wahlen and Garrin Horwitz, the Sturtevant-based firm provides full-service residential property management, brokerage, and construction support for single-family and small multifamily investors across southeastern Wisconsin, using a technology-driven platform to streamline operations and reduce costs. The project was supported through a partnership between RCEDC and Advia Credit Union, which helped secure a Community Loan for the expansion.
Join CLA for the third session of the QuickBooks Training Series, presented by RCEDC and RAMAC, and keep your books accurate while making your financial reports meaningful. This hands-on workshop for business owners, bookkeepers, and finance professionals will cover reconciling accounts, fixing discrepancies, and understanding key reports like the Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. You’ll also practice customizing, exporting, and using reports to make smarter business decisions with interactive exercises such as reconciling a sample bank statement and generating key reports.
The Foxville Gallery is a new contemporary art gallery coming to downtown Burlington, owned and operated by artist and entrepreneur Amy Lynn Ross. The gallery will spotlight professional artists with a strong focus on Wisconsin-based talent through rotating exhibitions, while the second floor of the property at 525 N. Pine Street will offer a unique gallery-inspired Airbnb experience known as The Fox on Pine. This project was made possible through the partnership between RCEDC and Community State Bank, working with lender Ben Bruno, AVP Business Banker, to secure a Community Loan that helped bring this creative vision to life.
Get confident with your day-to-day bookkeeping. Join CLA for the second session of our QuickBooks Online Training Series, presented by RCEDC and RAMAC, on January 22, 2026, 5–6:30 PM at Gateway Technical College’s SC Johnson iMET Center auditorium. This session covers managing customers and vendors, invoicing, payments, bills, and bank feeds, with hands-on practice in entering and matching transactions.
Smallman Tools & Equipment, founded by Nick Smalley, has acquired a commercial property at 732 S. Pine Street in Burlington to support the company's continued growth. After launching the business in 2023 and transitioning from a mobile tool distributor to an independent supplier serving customers across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Smalley is expanding retail, online, and mobile sales operations while creating a centralized hub for inventory and administration. The project was supported through a partnership between RCEDC and Community State Bank, utilizing a Community Loan to help position the business for long-term success and expansion.
Join CLA for the first session of our QuickBooks Online Training Series, presented by RCEDC and RAMAC, on October 23, 5–6:30 PM at Gateway Technical College’s SC Johnson iMET Center auditorium. This kickoff session will help you choose the right plan, set up your books, and build a strong foundation for success in QuickBooks Online. Interactive walkthroughs and live Q&A will ensure you leave ready to put QBO into action.
DW Coffee LLC is expanding from its Rochester location into Wind Lake with the purchase of real estate and equipment at 7910 S Loomis Rd. Owner Leslie Kinsey, who launched the business in 2021, will continue overseeing operations with support from her husband, Shawn. With help from lender Jay Cashmore at Community State Bank and RCEDC, funding was secured through the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), making the new location—with drive-thru service—possible.
INVEST IN RCEDC
RCEDC’s mission is to grow Racine County’s property tax base and by supporting business expansions, provide employment opportunities to Racine County residents. In 2022, RCEDC staff were able to facilitate 105 projects that included comprehensive site selection, loans, grants, and incentives resulting in $289 million in private investment and $124 million in new construction.