LOCK HAVEN — A new restaurant in downtown Lock Haven recently opened thanks to a funding partnership with the City of Lock Haven and Clinton County, and the assistance of SEDA-Council of Governments’ Business Finance Department.
The Main Street Grill & Bar, 127 E. Main St., held a ribbon cutting July 26. The restaurant serves everything from seafood and steak to pizza and subs, as well as cocktails and beer. It will employ nine full-time and 15 part-time jobs.
Loans for the $466,250 project included the Clinton County Revolving Loan Fund ($85,000), the Clinton County Enterprise Zone Loan Fund ($50,000, and the Lock Haven Commercial Loan Program ($50,000).
The restaurant is owned by Christopher Darwin, who also owns the Riverside Saloon in Lock Haven. He said SEDA-COG’s senior relationship manager Ray Haden was crucial to start the business.
“Working with Ray was a pleasure. He seemed just as determined as I was to make these loans (and this business) happen,” Darwin said. “We had several twists and turns come our way during this process, and without Ray’s guidance through this process, the business probably would have never come to fruition.”
Since the 1980s, Clinton County has contracted with SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Department staff to act as their loan officers for technical assistance and recommendations. The Lock Haven Small Business Development Center also incorporated SEDA-COG into the business plan for the restaurant, and recommended the city’s loan funds.
Haden recommended the use of the county’s loan funds because it would lower the interest rate.
“For start-up businesses, it’s generally very important for management to have appropriate capital reserves. The use of these revolving loan funds was a perfect fit for this project because of the low interest rate and other favorable repayment terms, leading to a palatable financing package,” Haden said.
The SEDA-COG Business Finance Department partners with new or expanding businesses statewide, helping them realize a better future with attractive financing packages. SEDA-COG offers financing with low fixed rates, long terms and minimal down payments. For more than 30 years, the organization has provided more than 900 loans in excess of $220 million.
For more information, call (570) 524-4491, email finance@seda-cog.org or visit www.seda-cog.org/finance.
