Community enterprise development services, CO

Ceds Finance, a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) located in Aurora, Colorado, received a $368,753 Project Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Capital Access under the Microloan Program (CFDA 59.046), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Under this award, Ceds Finance will provide microloans of up to $50,000 to startup, newly established, and growing small business concerns, with eligible loan proceeds restricted to working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery, and equipment. The funding also supports marketing, management, and technical assistance services to prospective and current microborrowers to enhance their capacity for business success.

As an established intermediary lender serving the Denver Metro area, Ceds Finance will deliver targeted financial and development services through this grant, with particular emphasis on underserved entrepreneurs including minority, women-owned, immigrant, and refugee-led small business owners who traditionally face barriers to conventional financing. The award enables Ceds Finance to expand its existing microloan program infrastructure and provide critical business development support and training to low-income entrepreneurs in urban and rural communities throughout its service region.