A regional nonprofit focused on community development financing has announced new lending partnerships that could, over time, affect housing, child care, and small business projects in Greene County and surrounding areas.
The announcement, released January 29th, outlines two separate financing efforts coordinated by CDFI Friendly Bloomington (CFB), which works to connect community projects with mission-based lenders and technical assistance.
New Regional Line of Credit
The portion most relevant to Greene County is a newly established $2.25 million line of credit involving Old National Bank, German American Bank, and First Financial Bank. The financing is intended to support affordable housing, child care, and small business projects across the 13-county region served by CFB, which includes Greene County.
According to the release, the goal is to help fill financing gaps for projects that may not qualify for traditional commercial loans.
At this time, no Greene County projects have been announced, and no timelines were provided for when funding may be deployed locally.
Bloomington-Only Small Business Loans
The release also references a separate lending partnership with Allies for Community Business, which offers loans ranging from $500 to $500,000. That program applies only to businesses within Bloomington city limits, with an emphasis on Bloomington’s Urban Enterprise Zone.
This Bloomington-specific program does not extend to Greene County businesses.
What This Means Locally
Programs of this type typically support projects that are already in development, with organized proposals, budgets, and documentation. They are not quick-turn grants or walk-in loans.
Any local impact will depend on whether Greene County developers, child care providers, or small business owners pursue and qualify for financing through the regional line of credit.
What to Watch
The Lintonian will monitor whether any Greene County projects move forward under these programs and will report further details if and when local applications or approvals are announced.
For now, the announcement represents potential access, not guaranteed funding — a distinction that will matter as projects either materialize or remain on paper.