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Happy Birthday to Us! FFCFC Celebrates 31 Years As Florida's Original Statewide Certified Development Company

Aug 2014

This month, Florida First Capital turns 31 years old! How time flies. It seems like yesterday we were incorporated and then licensed as the first Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Development Company (CDC) in Florida.

Our journey began with the primary mission of promoting and assisting the growth and development of job creating small businesses in Florida, and today that commitment is stronger than ever.

Here's a look at the evolution of Florida First Capital over the years and some of our achievements.

1983 (Aug. 29): Incorporated and charted as a not-for-profit entity by the State of Florida.

1984: Licensed by the SBA as Florida's original statewide CDC.

1988: Contracted with the Florida Department of Commerce to provide SBA trained and qualified staff for the operation of the SBA 504 Loan Program.

1991: Chosen by the State of Florida to administer the Florida Energy Loan Program (now sunset), which provided low-cost, fixed rate loans to help small businesses reduce their energy consumption and increase the energy efficiency of their operations.

1993: Administered the first Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans on behalf of the State of Florida following the Winter Storms of 1993. Historically, Florida First Capital has served as the state appointed administer of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program over the last 22 years. Since its inception, the program has helped more than 2,670 small businesses statewide receive more than $63 million in assistance.

1995: Chosen by the State of Florida to administer the Florida Recycling Loan Program, which provides low-cost, fixed rate loans for the purchase or refinance of equipment and machinery used to expand industrial recycling activities throughout the state.

1996: Upon the dissolution of the Department of Commerce, Florida First Capital contracted with the state's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and the Capital Development Board of Enterprise Florida, Inc., to provide its staffing and management services. Number of offices: 1. Number of employees: 2.

1997: Legislation introduced to privatize Florida First Capital, providing for an end to state financial support.

2003: Statewide coverage achieved for the SBA 504 Loan Program with offices from Pensacola to Miami covering all of Florida's 67 counties. Florida First Capital also entered the top 10 most active CDCs in the nation for the first time.

2006: Florida First Capital becomes the #1 SBA 504 lender in the State of Florida for producing 302 loans totaling $388 million for the fiscal year.

2011: Chosen by the State of Florida to administer the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 504 Bridge Loan Program, which provides commercial lending partners involved in SBA 504 loans with bridge loan funds to cover all or part of the SBA 504 second mortgage during the interim period of the 504 project until the permanent SBA second mortgage takeout occurs.

2014: Florida First Capital has remained among the top 10 most active CDCs in the nation over the last decade and is currently ranked 5th. Number of offices statewide: 7. Number of employees statewide: 32.

For 31 years, Florida First Capital has worked tirelessly to provide the state's small business owners and entrepreneurs with the best fixed asset financing available at the best terms and lowest costs possible. Providing real dollars to support Florida's growing and expanding small businesses that are creating jobs and strengthening the economy is and always has been our bottom line.

At Florida First Capital, prompt and efficient loan delivery and excellent customer service are our hallmarks. We work hard to earn our clients' and lending partners' business and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to work with and support Florida's small businesses in economic development and job creation.

Our professional lending team of business development officers and underwriting, closing and servicing professionals is driven by providing excellent customer service. We also offer a level of convenience unequaled by our competitors with full service offices located statewide from Pensacola to Miami.

No other CDC in Florida is as committed to the success of its small business customers and lending partners than Florida First Capital. And no other CDC strives to make the entire loan process as helpful, easy and quick as us.

And as part of our commitment to go above and beyond, our 504 small business clients and lending partners have exclusive access to a specialized network of Florida based local closing attorneys, which saves time and money with simultaneous closings for straight acquisition projects. No other Florida CDC offers this level of service and convenience.

Whether a small business is expanding or just starting out, with Florida First Capital as their trusted SBA 504 lender, they'll spend less time worrying about their loan and more time doing what they do best - running their small business, creating jobs and supporting the economy.

Please join us as we celebrate 31 great years, and look forward to many more.

For more information about SBA 504 loans in Florida,contact a Florida First Capital Loan Officer hereor email us atinfo@ffcfc.com. Phone: 850.681.3601 or toll-free at 888.320.5504.