Funding

Funding Opportunities

Supporting Business and Community Growth in Cass County

Cass Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) connects businesses, developers, and community partners with financial programs that help make projects possible. From revolving loan funds to tax incentives and regional grants, we’re here to make local investment achievable. Whether you’re expanding operations, improving facilities, or building childcare infrastructure, CADCO can help you access the right tools to grow.

Loan Funds

RBEG

Rural Business Enterprise Grant

Flexible Financing for Small and Emerging Businesses

The RBEG Revolving Loan Fund provides financing support to small and emerging businesses located in Cass County. This program is designed to supplement other financing sources and help projects move forward that might not otherwise qualify for traditional funding.

Qualifications:

Fewer than 50 employees
Annual adjusted gross income of less than $1 million

Program Details:

The fund is flexible and tailored to each applicant’s needs.
RBEG loans are intended to be part of a larger finance package in partnership with other lending sources.
A loan committee reviews applications and determines terms, with a general guideline of $10,000 available for each job created.
Interest rates are low and set by the committee to ensure accessibility for local businesses.

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a complete business plan and loan application to the CADCO office for review.

For more information, contact:
Jennifer McEntaffer, Executive Director

REDLG

Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant

Financing Larger Business & Infrastructure Projects

The REDLG program supports larger projects that promote job creation, infrastructure investment, or community services. This loan fund operates similarly to the RBEG program and is offered in partnership with local municipal utilities, Atlantic Municipal Utilities, and the USDA Rural Development program. While the funds are available through the utility, they are currently administered by CADCO.

Key Details:

Designed for larger-scale development projects that benefit Cass County communities.
Must be used in conjunction with another lending institution.
CADCO helps applicants determine eligibility, assemble project documentation, and coordinate with the municipal utility and USDA.

How to Apply:

To apply, submit a business plan and loan application to the CADCO office.

For more information, contact:
Jennifer McEntaffer, Executive Director

Childcare & Daycare Grant

Supporting Families and Workforce Stability

Cass County understands that accessible childcare supports both workforce and business development. CADCO partners with local organizations and funding programs to provide grants for new in-home childcare providers. These grants help increase available slots for working families and improve the overall quality of life, strengthening the foundation for economic growth.

Tax Abatement

Reduce Your Property Tax Burden During Growth

Cass County may offer a five-year sliding scale tax abatement on new construction or significant improvements to qualifying properties:

Year 1 – 75 % exemption
Year 2 – 60 %
Year 3 – 45 %
Year 4 – 30 %
Year 5 – 15 %

This incentive helps businesses and developers invest confidently in new facilities or site improvements. CADCO can help assess eligibility and connect you with local contacts to start the process.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

Reinvesting in Community Growth

TIF allows a portion of property tax revenue generated by new development to be reinvested in the project area, funding site improvements, infrastructure, and public utilities. CADCO works with municipalities throughout Cass County to structure TIF agreements that accelerate growth and attract long-term investment.

New Market Tax Credits (NMTC)

Encouraging Private Investment in Low-Income Communities

The New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) program provides a federal tax incentive to encourage private investment in projects that benefit low-income communities. Investors who make qualified equity investments in certified Community Development Entities (CDEs) can claim a tax credit equal to 39% of the total investment, distributed over a seven-year period (5% in each of the first three years and 6% in each of the final four years).

To qualify, a Community Development Entity must have a primary mission of promoting investment in low-income areas or for low-income persons. These investments often help fund commercial, industrial, and community facilities, supporting revitalization and economic opportunity in rural regions like Cass County.

CADCO can assist in identifying eligible areas and connecting potential investors or developers with CDEs that participate in the NMTC program.

Regional & State Partners

SWIPCO – Southwest Iowa Planning Council

Regional Revolving Loan Fund

The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) established its Business Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) in 2009 to assist new and existing businesses in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Montgomery, Page, and Shelby Counties with job creation and retention.

These funds are designed to fill financing gaps, and they can be used alongside local lenders, to provide supplemental or gap financing, or to help businesses that may have been turned down by traditional financial institutions.

SWIPCO’s RLF program helps businesses secure the capital needed for expansion, equipment purchases, or community development projects that drive local economic growth.

For more information, contact SWIPCO at 1-866-279-4720 or visit swipco.org

Grow Iowa Foundation

Flexible, Low-Interest Financing for Business Growth

The Grow Iowa Foundation provides low-interest loans to support business startups, expansions, and community development projects throughout Southwest Iowa. Working in partnership with local and regional banks, Grow Iowa helps increase small business lending by offering additional, flexible credit to meet standard underwriting criteria.

Program Highlights:

Financing available for up to 50% of total project costs (maximum loan amount $250,000)
Remaining costs typically financed through a commercial lender
Applicants must contribute a portion of the project cost as equity through personal resources or grant funds
Loan terms: up to 10 years, depending on project and collateral
Interest rate: variable, adjusted annually (currently around 3%)
Excludes production agriculture projects

Grow Iowa funds can be used for equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and other business or community improvements that create local opportunity.

Get Started

CADCO is here to help you find the right combination of funding and incentives to bring your project to life.