A History of
Investing in Small Business Growth
When Locus was launched, a key part of our mission was to deploy more capital to the small businesses that power Main Streets across Virginia. To date, we’ve financed the creation or retention of more than 15,000 jobs. That experience has allowed our small business lending to grow and evolve—just like the businesses we serve.
Small Businesses Generate Multi-Sector Impact
Today, our small business lending focuses on four critical areas that shape prosperous, resilient communities:
- Community Organizations: Helping childcare providers, healthcare and recovery centers, and other nonprofit organizations that offer essential local services.
- Food Systems: Backing food businesses that strengthen local and regional economies and nourish our communities.
- Clean Energy: Financing projects led by small and emerging solar energy developers working toward a more sustainable future nationwide.
- Affordable Housing: Supporting small and nonprofit developers who create and preserve housing affordability for families across Virginia and beyond.
A Collaborative Approach to Small Business Support
As our role in the small business ecosystem has evolved, we’ve formed close partnerships with other community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that specialize in traditional small business lending, ensuring entrepreneurs can access the critical capital they need. If you’re looking for a small business loan under $150,000, here are some lenders and resources we recommend:
15,000 jobs
have been created or retained from our financing
- Bridging Virginia
- Community Investment Collaborative
- Foodshed Capital
- People’s Advantage Federal Credit Union
- People Inc.
- Virginia Small Business Financing Authority
- Your local Economic Development Authority
15,000 jobs
have been created or retained from our financing
Innovation Spotlight
Capital Region
Small Business Development Center
We’re also proud to host the Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at our Richmond office, and we regularly refer small businesses to their expert advisors. To date, the Capital Region SBDC has helped more than 1,300 small business owners on their journeys to achieve their dreams, which translates to $42 million in capital formation. To learn more about the Capital Region SBDC and the development services the team provides for Locus, visit their website.
Explore consultative options with LocusInnovation Spotlight
Guarantees Unlock Capital for Small Businesses Nationwide
Beyond our direct lending, we manage credit enhancement funds that help community lenders—often CDFIS—unlock more capital for small businesses across the country. It’s one more way we’re helping entrepreneurs access the resources they need to thrive. If you’re a mission-driven investor or lender committed to supporting our nation’s small businesses, we invite you to learn more about our guarantee design and management services.
Innovation Spotlight
Strengthening the Capital Ecosystem
We offer education, strategic guidance, and capacity-building services tailored to help municipalities, community-embedded organizations, and businesses find answers to the most pressing community challenges and advance shared visions for the future. Through capital ecosystem coordination, we help make the connections and build the community investment strategies that enable the flow of critical dollars to Virginia’s Main Streets.
Community & Sector Partnerships