Seedcopa + SeedcoDE, an affiliate of the Chester County Economic Development Council, has expanded its team after a record year of SBA 504 lending in Eastern Pennsylvania. Loaida Rodriguez has been named Portfolio and Compliance Specialist at Seedcopa, a Certified Development Company that specializes in helping businesses in Pennsylvania and Delaware access below-market interest rates through government loan programs.

Rodriguez joins the Seedcopa team after serving as Assistant Controller at Vanguard Charitable in Malvern, one of the largest grant-making organizations in the nation. Previously, she was the Director of Finance at Community Basics, Inc. in Lancaster, a non-profit developer that supports the ongoing need for affordable housing in the Lancaster area. She also served as Director of Accounting and Payroll for SCTE, Inc. in Exton, a membership association that supports the telecommunications industry.

“Loaida brings a true passion for economic development to this position, as well as making a positive impact on her community,” said Seedcopa + SeedcoDE Managing Director Sherwood Robbins. “Her experience managing government-backed programs and ensuring fiduciary responsibility, along with her accounting and financial management experience, are valuable assets for our bank partners and small- to mid-sized business borrowers. We are very excited to welcome Loaida to the team.”

Rodriguez earned her Bachelor of Arts in Financial Management from Immaculata University and her Master’s degree in Public Administration at West Chester University. She resides in Honey Brook with her four children and two grandchildren. She enjoys volunteer work, including as a HDC MidAtlantic Board Member, as well as past volunteer work for Primera Iglesia Bautista de Coatesville, Philadelphia Area Great Career Success Group and Lighthouse Vocational Ministries.

Rodriguez joins Seedcopa, a leading provider of SBA 504 and other long-term fixed rate loans, after it was ranked number one in 2020 and 2021 by the U.S. Small Business Administration for attaining the most SBA 504 loans for small businesses in Eastern Pennsylvania. Projects totaled more than $92 million, and 42 loans were approved totaling more than $37 million in fiscal year 2021. Loans spanned almost double the usual number of counties throughout the region including Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Camden, Chester, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, New Castle, Northumberland, and Philadelphia.

SBA 504 is the Small Business Administration’s fixed-rate loan program for small- to mid-sized business owners, and such loans often act as a complement to conventional, commercial loans that Seedcopa + SeedcoDE facilitates through local banks and credit unions.

A typical SBA 504 loan structure requires a contribution from the business owner of as little as 10 percent. A third-party lender, like a bank or credit union, contributes 50 percent of the project cost. The SBA-backed portion of the loan is up to 40 percent. SBA 504 loan projects help businesses purchase, construct, renovate, or expand on new or existing land, as well as purchase machinery and equipment.

A complete listing of Seedcopa + SeedcoDE’s suite of loan programs and success stories can be found at seedcopa.com