Business Loans & Resources
programs designed to help Pittsburgh's entrepreneurs and businesses thrive
No matter what your business needs, we are here to help.
The URA offers a variety of financing products for small- and medium-sized business development and commercial real estate development. These are gap financing products that work in conjunction with private equity and private debt to help your business close the financing for your business growth and expansion.
Our team also works with a large network of technical assistance providers and partners to help your business start, improve, and grow.
For more information on any these programs, please contact Lynnette Morris at lmorris@ura.org.
Avenues of Hope Storefront Façade Grant Program
The Avenues of Hope Storefront Façade Grant Program provides funds to commercial building and business owners to improve their building facades.
Avenues of Hope Commercial Real Estate Program
We're offering long-term financing with no payments due for 20 years.
No prepayment penalties. Ever.
- We offer loans from $50,000 - $200,000.
- Make a bigger impact at a lower cost because our interest rate is fixed at 1%.
- We prioritize your impact by offering low transaction fees.
Every project is unique, so let's start the conversation together! To get started, please contact Lynnette Morris at lmorris@ura.org.
Childcare Reinvestment Business Fund
Provided by Invest PGH, the Childcare Reinvestment Business Fund (CRiB) is a forgivable loan pilot program designed to sustain and stimulate the growth of new and existing child care businesses in the City of Pittsburgh.
Minority Business Recovery & Growth Loan Fund
Made possible by PNC and the City of Pittsburgh, the Minority Business Recovery & Growth Loan Fund provides access to capital, up to $100,000, for existing minority-owned businesses inside the City of Pittsburgh that are recovering from COVID-19 or growing.
Micro-Enterprise Loan Program
Provided by Invest PGH, the program offers financing for startup and small businesses that need capital to launch or grow a business. This program provides loans of up to $30,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, and leasehold improvements. View our Micro-Loan investment portfolio.
Accelerating Business Expansion Loan (ABEL) Program
Provided by Invest PGH, this program provides competitive market-rate financing with flexible underwriting standards for small- to medium-sized commercial businesses for real estate purchase, pre-development, development or construction; furniture, fixtures, equipment, inventory, machinery; and working capital.
Small Contractor Line of Credit Program
The Small Contractor Line of Credit Program is intended to support operating construction companies taking on Avenues of Hope projects that require access to working capital. Applicants may receive financing of up to 90% of submitted and approved invoices of $25,000 - $100,000 on an annual basis.
PIDA Loan Program
Administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), the PIDA loan program provides low-cost loans and lines of credit to Pennsylvania businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs within Pennsylvania. Businesses located in the City of Pittsburgh can access the PIDA loan program through the URA.
Program Details
- Loan Amounts: up to $2,500,000 for real estate; up to $1,500,000 for machinery & equipment; up to $100,000 for working capital
- Interest Rates: interest rates are typically 1-2 percent below industry-standard; fixed or variable rates for real estate loans; fixed rate for machinery & equipment and working capital loans
- Length of Loan/Maturity & Renewals: up to 15 years for land/building acquisitions and construction/renovation costs; up to 10 years for machinery & equipment purchases; up to 3 years for working capital term loans; up to 12 months on lines of credit with annual renewal up to a maximum of 6 years
- Collateral: collateral is determined based on the asset being financed; personal guarantees are required by the principal owner(s)
- Fees
- Application fee: $350
- URA Commitment & closing fee: 3% of the loan amount
- PIDA commitment fee: 1% of the loan amount (only applicable to loans over $400,000
Pittsburgh Business Fund (PBF)
Financing up to $500,000 for small- and medium-sized businesses for working capital, real estate, equipment, and leasehold improvements.
Program Details
- Loan Amount: $30,000 - $500,000.00
- Interest Rate: 5.5%
- Length of Loan: 5 years for working capital, 7 years for equipment,10 years for leasehold improvements, and up to 20 years for real estate
- Fees:
- Application fee: $350
- Due Diligence: 3% of the total URA loan
- Loan Servicing: .5% of the total URA loan
- Construction Inspection: .5% of the total URA loan if URA financing is applied towards construction costs. If the construction inspection is provided by a private lender, no URA construction inspection fee is required.
- Filing with Commonwealth of PA and County: All filing fees will be the responsibility of the applicant (i.e., Mortgages, UCCs, Assignment of Leases and Rents).
- Misc. Closing: If the URA is acting as a primary lender, additional fees for items such as appraisals, title insurance, etc., may be charged at closing.