Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008 - (Page 18)

Agriculture—ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia works with their more traditional financial brethren to support sustainable projects in the Pacific Northwest. “We have relationships with banks, and entities like the SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers), that understand that there is a need for a capital investment in a particular entity, business or project, but the risk tolerance is too high for them to participate,” he said. “We do a lot of work around social equity issues and environmental issues, where we become partners with others in those areas to help on the front-end, craft and make deals happen quickly and properly.” If a project surfaces in its early stages, ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia can offer strategic planning advice and serve as a consultant to refine the project’s plan and take into account such things as location, markets, time frames, etc. Its primary role is to form partnerships with others to invest in the project. “We’re not here to compete against banks. We’re here to support banks. We are invited to the areas that we serve by banks and others in the community,” Bowman said. “Or we may help a developer find a primary lender and we will take a subordinated role to help get the deal done, such as providing gap funding.” The company’s services go beyond lending money, according to Bowman. It’s an ongoing relationship with the developer to make sure the project is successful and to provide other resources if necessary. “When an applicant comes in, they may not be ready for lending, but they may need something that one of our partners can offer,” he said. “We can readily pick up the phone and connect them with a partner organization that can bring value to that customer or applicant. We try to create a more holistic approach to improving our community.” It’s not simply about dollars. It’s also about partnerships. To be effective and to effect change in communities, urban or rural, it takes partners. “The relationship doesn’t end when the dollars are lent out,” he said. “One of our goals is to see the developer as an individual and help their business build its strength and asset base. We want them to become resilient enough to move into traditional banking markets.” In a larger sense, Bowman said that there is a growing awareness by both consumers and the government that it is no longer acceptable to buy products and services that do not promote a healthy and sustainable planet and allow business-as-usual to continue. “This pressure has placed more dollars to the promotion of sustainable farming and forestry practices, green building, alternative energy, and recycling practices,” he said. “Even in a recessionary economy, there appears to be a higher percentage of foundation and government dollars appropriated to promoting healthy planet habits.” Land-specific dealmaker Based in Washington, D.C., Land Finance Group, LLC specializes in financing land deals around the country—one of the few companies with Circle 149 • or www.SLDTonline.com/webcard 18 September 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.tensarcorp.com/GSS1 http://www.tensarcorp.com/GSS1 http://www.SLDTonline.com/webcard

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008 Contents Our Voice The Bottomline Editorial Board SLDT Resources Digging Deep Oases of Capital Build a Better Business on an Interactive, Virtual Landscape Regulation SLDI in Focus �� SLDI Sponsored Summit �� Workshops �� Bookstore Tee’d Up for Sustainability Retention Solutions Wastewater Redevelopment Industry News Marketplace Products/Services Showcase Advertiser Index The Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - September 2008

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