March 17 – As the COVID-19 crisis continues to escalate, the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region wants its clients, colleagues, and borrowers to know that the Community Loan Fund is here for them.

“While the health of our staff, clients, and stakeholders is our number one priority, we are steadfast in our commitment to our mission and we are working quickly to determine different ways to continue to provide services,” says Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region.

Here are some important things for partners to know:

  • Recent Loan Approvals: The Community Loan Fund is honoring all loans approved so far by getting the funds to our clients as soon as possible.
  • Emergency Loans: The Community Loan Fund is in the process of developing an Emergency Loan Fund for our clients who are seeing a dramatic loss of customers and revenue. Please reach out to your loan officer explaining what your needs are.
  • Staff Availability: Community Loan Fund staff members are currently working from home, so clients and borrowers are advised to call first before coming to the Albany or Schenectady offices. To better protect the safety of their clients Community Loan Fund loan officers have already begun meetings with clients via FaceTime and phone when possible.
  • Online Workshops: The Community Loan Fund is moving our upcoming workshops online and will notify participants by email.

While it is vitally important to limit contact in order to limit the spread of contagion, when Capital Region residents do need to shop or go out for meals, try to remember that neighborhood small businesses are hardest hit in times of crisis. “If you must patronize a business, please spend your dollars locally. By supporting local businesses, you are supporting our community,” says MacFarlane. “We can only hope that, by working together as a community, we will weather this crisis well and with the best possible outcome for our families, our friends, and our communities. Know that we are here to support our borrowers, our clients, our investors and our volunteers in every way we can.”