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Home Borrowers Accommodations Immersion Research – Casselman River Loft

Immersion Research Inc - Casselman River Loft

Location:

808 Oden Street
Confluence, PA

County:

Somerset

Description:

Business expansion loan

Total Project Cost:

$165,000

Visit Online:

youghvacationrentals.com
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We don’t have to spend six to eight months of waiting for loans and committees.  We can basically focus on designing the building and know the financing will be taken care of.  It’s really liberating.

John Weld, co-owner of Immersion Research and Casselman River Loft

People

Career kayakers Kara and John Weld live for whitewater but also love urban décor.  The couple owns Immersion Research, a renowned manufacturer of kayaking gear.  Based in charming Confluence, where the Youghiogheny and Casselman meet, it fills most of a 100-year-old school building.  The top floor, though, was underutilized.  “It has high ceilings,”  John says.  “It has these gigantic windows that overlook the river.”  Imagine waking up there.

Progress

The Progress Fund had loaned the Welds the funds to buy the old school and later to install solar panels on the roof.  When the Welds bought and converted two houses to vacation rentals, The Progress Fund provided funding again.  Then the Welds sought financing to renovate the old school’s 2nd floor, they made one call.

Impact

With The Progress Fund’s $165,000 loan, the Welds transformed dowdy schoolrooms into an “urban apartment,” as John puts it.  From the open floor plan and interior brick to the stainless steel kitchen, Casselman River Loft could demand top rent in any American downtown.  Instead, it’s available as an affordable vacation rental perfect for anyone who loves kayaking, boating or cycling – but not roughing it.  Says John:  “I love the idea of someone walking upstairs and saying, ‘Holy cow, this is amazing!'”

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