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The Progress Fund

The Progress Fund

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    • About UsThe Progress Fund provides financing and business coaching to help people like you to grow businesses and create jobs for the region.
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Home About Us Praise by Others

Praise by Others

We have provided financing to help people like you to grow their businesses and create jobs for the region. Click on the business categories below to learn what people are saying about us.

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Sandfly Brewing, LLC

It was just so much of an easier process because The Progress Fund has funded breweries like this and knows the process that we needed to go through.  It’s not like you’re trying to tell a banker, who has probably never been to a brewery, why this is a good idea.

Jason Huffman, co-owner, Sandfly Brewing, Punxsutawney, PA

CrossFit Indiana

It’s been nice to go through this process and build a team of people that believe in my project and believe in what I’m doing.

CJ Lyons, co-owner, CrossFit Indiana, Indiana, PA

Getaway Café

I could’ve shopped around and I would have had to spend a lot of time, but my relationship with The Progress Fund was super-simple and the project was right up their alley in terms of repurposing a building with history.

 

Drue Spallholz, co-owner Getaway Café and The Eastwood Inn, Ligonier, PA

Big Spring Spirits

We knew what we wanted to buy, so we had the information that was needed so that The Progress Fund could do their evaluation.  That was really a good process from my end.  It was a quick and smooth process.

Garry McCann, CFO Big Spring Spirits, Bellefonte, PA

ASCEND – Point Breeze

We’ve had such a good, strong relationship with The Progress Fund and Enterprise Bank.  Our first call was to our partners, the people who have helped us to achieve our vision and our goals.  We’ve had numerous conversations with the team at The Progress Fund, ensuring that everybody was on the same page.

Alex Bernstein, co-founder, ASCEND Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

LaJose Hotel, LLC

They were easy to talk to, easy to get along with, nice people–very encouraging and supportive of us moving forward.  If we would need anything or have questions about anything, all we’d need to do is pick up the phone and call.

Patricia Fields, co-owner, LaJose Hotel, LaJose, PA

Kentuck Knob Visitor Center

You were such a lifeline during the early months of the pandemic, and I don’t know what we would’ve done if you hadn’t helped us navigate the PPP Loan system.

Timothy Fischer, Director, Frank Lloyd Wright's House on Kentuck Knob, Chalk Hill, PA

Mom’s Wholesale Foods

We had talks with other banks, but ultimately The Progress Fund was able to give us a good deal.  We felt comfortable in that relationship, knowing that it’s genuinely a partnership, and not strictly business.

Philip D. Pratt, Mom's Wholesale Foods, New Castle, PA

Cady Hollow Campground

Every time I sent an email or asked a question, within minutes or hours—but definitely the same day—The Progress Fund got back to us.

Charissa Chiaravalloti, co-owner, Cady Hollow Campground, Port Allegany, PA

Firewhistle Brewing, LLC

The Progress Fund has been really instrumental in not only getting me through this loan process, but looking at my financials, looking at my numbers, looking at my business plan.  That has been integral to my confidence as a business person.

Jason Berman, owner, Firewhistle Brewing, Elizabeth, PA

Ice Castle Arena

It was seamless, for the most part. The Progress Fund has been a supporter since day one. They’ve been superstars for us…They really understand it. They know it’s a good business.

Ralph Murovich, co-owner, Ice Castle Arena, Castle Shannon, PA

Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream

We found The Progress Fund to be incredibly responsive and helpful throughout the application process. They made it as easy as possible for us to put together the materials they needed.

Lauren Townsend, co-owner, Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, Pittsburgh, PA

The Tandem Connection

The Progress Fund got it. They understood what we want to accomplish, and they understood the potential of what this is going to be. … They’ve been incredibly supportive.

Seth Fosmire, co-owner, The Tandem Connection, Hendersonville, PA

Log Cabin Lodge & Suites

They’ve been a major part of providing that entrepreneurial funding that’s more than just lending on a piece of real estate. I think that The Progress Fund does a lot to bridge that void. Everybody’s been very approachable and very easy to talk to.

Tom Guiher, owner, Log Cabin Lodge & Suites, Jones Mills, PA

Appalachian Arts Studio and Museum

I’ve always struggled to make my loan payments. The Progress Fund always believed in me and encouraged me even during down times in my business, helping me to get through them. And now I’m paying off my loan. The Progress Fund is awesome and has proven to me that, when someone believes in you, you can do anything.

-Liz Boni, co-owner, Appalachian Arts, Ridgeway, PA

Stage Right!

They knew what I was going through. They knew how tough it is. They weren’t making it tougher. The Progress Fund made it pretty easy.

Christine Orosz, Executive Director, Stage Right! School for the Performing Arts and Professional Theatre Company, Greensburg, PA

God’s Country Paradise Park

The Progress Fund was very helpful with a caring attitude for our success.

Michael and Jennifer Salerno, Owners, God’s Country Paradise Park, Cowansville, PA

Emerald Valley Artisans

The Progress Fund did more than just lend us money…they joined with us in the creative belief that we could actually make things better. Ultimately we did. That is the power of relationships.

Alisa Fava-Fasnacht, Co-owner, Emerald Valley Artisans, Scenery Hill, PA

Huntingdon Farm

The Progress Fund was very accommodating, straightforward, and pleasant.

John Dawes, owner – Huntingdon Farm, Alexandria, PA

Horn O Plenty

I did check with a bank.  At the same time, I had heard of The Progress Fund. They’re a small organization. They’re easy to work with. It just made sense. It wasn’t big and institutionalized like the banks.

Mandi Horn, co-owner, Horn O Plenty: A Farm to Table Restaurant, Bedford, PA

Horn Farm

I just didn’t believe the help that [The Progress Fund] gave us. If they didn’t, we would probably be a year or two behind. … We just keep going back to them.

Jeff Horn, co-owner, Horn's Farm, Manns Choice, PA

Rick Walker Farms

Very easy. It was no problem at all there. I’m getting the money as I need it. That’s been very helpful.

Rick Walker, owner, Rick Walker Farms, Edinboro, PA

Private: North Fork Golf Course & Tennis Club

No matter what my plans were, or what I wanted to do, none of this would’ve happened without The Progress Fund. They were my last shot. If they would’ve said no, I was done. Karen Post was so energetic and so excited about it, it got me more excited about.

Todd Corson, owner, North Fork Golf & Tennis Club, Johnstown, PA

Confluence Cyclery

When we were renovating an old building and opening our bicycle shop, The Progress Fund was exceptionally helpful. They provided advice and access to business development loans that we were not aware of. They were friendly and dedicated to helping us be successful.

Brad & Maureen Smith, Co-owners, Confluence Cyclery,, Confluence, PA

Performance Kayak

I know some of the other businesses in town that had used The Progress Fund.  I knew they worked to see businesses grow and be successful and overall what that good work was doing for the town. That’s why we reached out to The Progress Fund  when we wanted to put up a new building and buy more inventory.

Hansel Lucas Jr., Co-owner, Performance Kayak Inc., West Newton, PA

Hazelbaker’s Bottom Yough Outfitters

Though we’re doing business together, it doesn’t feel like ‘business’–feels more like good people helping each other out.

Don Hasch, Co-owner, Hazelbaker's Bottom Yough Outfitters, Inc., Layton, PA

The White Rabbit Café and Patisserie

I like what The Progress Fund does. No bank would even consider giving us a loan without collateral. It’s nice that there’s somebody out there trying to help non-traditional lendees.

Tommy Medley, co-owner,  The White Rabbit Café and Patisserie, Greensburg, PA

Silver Shores Restaurant

We looked around a little bit for financing, even though we’ve had a long relationship with The Progress Fund.  They were able to be flexible with their rates in order to make it work for us.

Rob Schepner, co-principal, Silver Shores Restaurant, Conneaut Lake, PA

The Eastwood Inn

As soon as [the loan officer] came here, things came together pretty quickly for me.  The Progress Fund realized that there was a real opportunity here.

Drue Spallholz, co-owner, The Eastwood Inn, Ligonier, PA

Bittersweet Café

They’re not in it for money. They’re in it to promote tourism in southwestern Pennsylvania. The loan officer I worked with is just so personable. He brought it all down to earth. He was a very calming influence through every kind of storm.

Terri Krysak, owner, Bittersweet Cafe, Farmington, PA

Domestic

You have changed my life’s trajectory and I know you have done the same for so many others who just needed to be given the chance to fulfill their potential. Thank you so much for the opportunity you have given me.

Douglas Vaira, owner, Domestic, Shepherdstown, WV, Shepherdstown, WV

Driscoll & Sons Cafe

It was like any other loan process. There was a lot of leg work involved. But the representative of The Progress Fund helped me every step of the way.

 

Raymond Driscoll, co-owner, Driscoll & Sons Café, Elizabeth Township, PA

The Trailside Café

When nobody else out there would lend me the money, The Progress Fund stepped up. Basically, they got it. …now I’m where I wanted to be. Our business plan is completed.

Rod Darby, Owner, The Trailside, West Newton, PA

Homemade Memories…Bakery

After I got with The Progress Fund, everything just kept on rolling.

Karen Wyland, owner – Homemade Memories, Martinsburg, PA

LIFeSTYLE – Living Italian Food e Style

We celebrated our agreement over a bottle of wine and some cheese in our home a couple of weeks later.

Stefano Ferrari, co- owner – LIFeSTYLE – Living Italian Food e Style, Bedford, PA

The Italian Oven

The Progress Fund was exceptionally good to work with. The people I’ve dealt with have been cordial, cooperative, and knowledgeable.

Lee Newell, owner – The Italian Oven, Somerset, PA

Off the RAK

Outstanding. Very easy, very reasonable. They just made my life a lot easier, relieving me of that part of the stress.

Bob Kolar, owner, Off the RAK Restaurant, Ebensburg, PA

Tuff’s Smokin’ Grill

I was able to get a great interest rate and the amount of money that I felt like I needed to start the project without having to jump through 10,000 hoops like some other financial institutions require.

Ray “Tuffy” Shreckengost II, owner, Tuff’s Smokin’ Grill, Hawthorn, PA, Hawthorn, PA

Phoenix Restaurant

When I couldn’t get a loan, a friend of mine who is in the real estate business told me about The Progress Fund. A lot of the loans that they gave out were in the restaurant business. I put a business plan together, and then got it back to them, and it really wasn’t very difficult with The Progress Fund.

Tony Russo, co-owner, Phoenix Restaurant, Altoona, PA, Altoona, PA

Enrico Biscotti

You guys were awesome. Are you kidding? You could not have been more helpful, You really walked us through the process and were responsive to our needs and our questions.

Larry Lagattuta, owner, Enrico Biscotti Company, Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsburgh, PA

Hungry Hank’s Pizzeria

I was really happy with The Progress Fund — just the ease of everything. We didn’t have to jump through all of the hoops like you have to do with a bank.

Ed Deemer, co-owner, Hungry Hank’s Pizzeria, Jeannette, PA, Jeannette, PA

Fox’s Pizza Den

The whole process was very, very easy. It flowed right through.

Chris Curcio, owner, Fox’s Pizza Den, West Newton, PA, West Newton, PA

Falls City Pub

I saw an opportunity to serve 1.5 million tourists that are hungry and thirsty after a day on the river or trails. When I went for a loan, commercial banks got bogged down in their own bureaucracy. The Progress fund was actually able to move faster.

Eric Martin, Co-owner, Falls City Pub & Restaurant, Ohiopyle, PA

South Side Traveler’s Rest

They streamline the whole process, but even more so, they’ve developed a process by which they can help us beyond just a loan.

Paul Kletter, co-owner, South Side Traveler's Rest, Pittsburgh, PA

9 Decatur Guest House and Hostel

I was surprised how simple it was. How they’ve been helpful is through their level of encouragement. They’re very reachable, very approachable. They’re there to help you,

Gail Hall, owner, 9 Decatur Guest House and Hostel, Cumberland, MD

The Confluence Resort

From the time I contacted them and identified the project and they came down and expressed interest, we moved to a commitment very quickly.

Pervis Major, owner – The Confluence Resort, Fayetteville, WV

Cobblestone Hotel and Suites – Connellsville

The Progress Fund really understood what we were doing. They got it. … You need to present something that’s realistic to them. You’ve got to do your homework. And the process, I think, was informative to us as well.

Tom Rosselot, developer and owner, Cobblestone Hotel and Suites Connellsville, Connellsville, PA

Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast

There were times when we shopped for credit and ran out of money. We were scraping. I feel very protected now. That’s not going to happen.

Mary Lou Rendulic, co-owner, Bright Morning Bed & Breakfast, West Newton, PA

Immersion Research

It’s so hard to get a loan on a building since the mortgage crisis. We went straight to The Progress Fund. They were really easy to work with. They don’t require some of the things that banks require these day.

Kara Weld, Co-owner, Immersion Research, Confluence, PA

Crick General Store

There isn’t a bank out there that would meet you beside a creek. That really impressed us. It wasn’t just a numbers thing. You actually saw the potential of what we were looking at.

Allen Figula, co-owner, Crick Country Store, Glen Hope, PA, Glen Hope, PA

Wendell August Forge

A great group to help us meet our needs for funding. We couldn’t have done the project without Enterprise Bank, The Progress Fund and the governor.

Will Knecht, President, Wendell August, Grove City, PA, Grove City, PA

River’s Edge Camping & Cabins

Having a choice, we wanted to work with The Progress Fund. We believe in what they do.

Denise Gallo, co-owner, River’s Edge Camping & Cabins, Connellsville, PA

Brookline Teen Outreach

“I felt it was a very smooth process. It’s very similar to a traditional mortgage, the same paperwork. But I’d say it was much friendlier. … My phone calls would be answered, if not within minutes, within hours.”

Caitlin McNulty, founding president, Brookline Teen Outreach, Pittsburgh, PA

Stone Valley Pet Lodge

If it wasn’t for The Progress Fund, I wouldn’t have been able to build the Pet Lodge.

Jackie Petsu, owner – Stone Valley Pet Lodge, Petersburg, PA, Petersburg, PA

CJ Spirits

The Progress Fund “came highly recommended. The process was pretty seamless. There weren’t any major hurdles

Tom Jones, co-owner, CJ Spirits, Kane, PA, Kane, PA

Ridge Runner Distillery

Everyone I talked to has been so supportive of everything. I feel like there’s a lot more flexibility with The Progress Fund than there would be with a lot of lenders. I can call someone up there and if I have a problem I can talk to a person who has an understanding of what’s going on. … It feels like a very personal relationship

Christian W. Klay, owner, Ridge Runner Distillery, Chalk Hill, PA

Butler Brew Works

We’re extremely happy to be working with The Progress Fund. We appreciate that they’re willing to believe in what we’re doing and believe that we can be successful with this. If they hadn’t given us the opportunity, I don’t know where we’d be right now.

Nick Fazzoni, co-owner, Butler Brew Works, Butler, PA

Christian W. Klay Winery

I found it to be extremely easy to work with The Progress Fund to determine what my goals were, and to finance them.

Sharon Klay, Owner, Christian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA, Chalk Hill, PA

Flickerwood Wine Cellars

The financing package was like “an angel came down from the sky.’

Ron Zampogna, co- owner – Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Kane, PA

Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries

The Progress Fund “made it happen very smoothly and efficiently, no question about it.

Barry Young, co-owner – Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, Glenshaw, PA, Glenshaw, PA

American Mug & Stein Co.

The Progress Fund guys were very professional, came in and did their jobs. [The Progress Fund] said, ‘You know what you need, you know what it’s going to do,’ and they made the loan.

Cyde McClellan, Owner, American Mug & Stein Co, East Liverpool, OH

The I&C Conerail Caboose

We had an ice cream stand years ago and when we found a caboose that was equipped as an ice cream stand, we had to have it.

Diane Dunmyer, co-owner, The Conerail Caboose, Cresson, PA, Cresson, PA

Abjuration Brewing LLC

Essentially, we got more capital and we’re paying less, so that’s pretty much a no-brainer.  We upgraded our system and we’re going to be able to make more beer.  And we have less to pay back on it a month.  That means more money that will put us toward more growth, which is what we want.

Dave Hallam, co-owner, Abjuration Brewing, McKees Rocks, PA

Bent Run Brewing Co.

I had never gone through a proper business plan…So there were a lot of educational hoops that I had to learn and figure out in a quick manner.  But they helped me through it.  It was a big pain in the butt, but I understand and appreciate the process.

Phil Caudill, Owner, Bent Run Brewing Co., Warren, PA

Straub Brewery Inc.

The Progress Fund’s process was streamlined yet very professional and substantive.  They also truly became an advisor to us, advising us on the substance of the project and encouraging us.  They put their money where their mouth was, starting with David’s encouragement and guidance.”

Vince Assetta, Vice President, General Manager & Brewmaster, St. Marys, PA

Velum Fermentation

I am not a business guy.  But I rose to the occasion because I had to.  From the actual experience of applying, it was smooth and well thought out.

Nate McLaughlin, founder, Velum Fermentation, Pittsburgh, PA

Voodoo Brewing Company, Inc.

We have banking relationships, but we were looking for somebody who was more community minded and was passionate about the projects.  I was able to be kind of creative and you were easy to work with and communicate with.

Jake Voelker, co-owner, Voodoo Brewing Company, Homestead , PA

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425 W Pittsburgh St
Greensburg, PA 15601-2211

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