When Master Chocolatier Christopher Curtin was featured on one of CNN’s most popular shows, he suddenly had a very sweet problem on his hands.

“We pretty much doubled in size, and suddenly we needed larger space for machinery, packaging and ingredients,” says Curtin, whose Eclat Chocolate factory store is located on South High Street in West Chester.

That’s when another local business referred him to Seedcopa, an affiliate program of the Chester County Economic Development Council that specializes in financing for growing businesses.

With their support, he was able to get a $559,000 loan at a lower interest rate to purchase a 4,500-square-foot building behind Henderson High School.

The facility is operational right now and will be fully outfitted by this spring.

“We were able to find an affordable solution to grow, and the process was much simpler and quicker than I imagined” says Curtin, who also says he’s also benefitting from the network of local businesses provided by CCEDC and Seedcopa.

He points to growing sales of Eclat’s corporate gift boxes. Local businesses are submitting their orders now for customized packaging in time for the holidays and corporate events.

“It’s a wonderful way to show appreciation for clients and employees,” says Curtin, whose chocolates have been called the “Best in America” by Bon Appetit Magazine.

To learn more about the loan options available to local businesses through Seedcopa and CCEDC, click here.

To learn more about Eclat Chocolate and its recipes honed from the finest chocolate houses of Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Japan, click here.