For the last few years, the financing needs of Wisconsin businesses have been on the rise. To meet the challenge, Business Lending Partners (BLP), the finance division of the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC), has added staff.

BLP not only serves the businesses where RCEDC is headquartered in Racine County, but as a certified development company (CDC), BLP is able to provide the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program throughout Wisconsin. To meet the demands of a growing market, in 2018, RCEDC opened an additional office in Green Bay. Since adding this office, SBA loan volume has increased making it necessary to add staff to the Green Bay lending team.

Melissa Mayerhofer and Sarah Howe have joined BLP’s Green Bay office. Melissa is BLP’s Business Loan Closing Specialist and Sarah as BLP’s Loan Servicing Specialist.

Mayerhofer has over five years of finance experience and has worked at N.E.W. Credit Union, BMO Harris Bank and, most recently, Bay Title and Abstract, Inc. as an escrow officer.

Howe, a University of Wisconsin – Whitewater alumni, has worked at Associated Bank, Summit Credit Union, UW Credit Union, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, and most recently, Community First Credit Union.

Carolyn Engel, the Business Finance Manager for BLP said, “I am excited to welcome Melissa and Sarah to our team, and we are confident they will both excel in meeting the needs of businesses in our portfolio as well as with our lenders.”

As a CDC, BLP focuses on providing fixed asset loans, such as the purchase of buildings, renovation, new construction, equipment loans as well as refinancing.

For businesses or lenders interested in learning more about the programs offered at BLP or learning more about the staff, visit blp504.org.