Northwest Business Development Association

What Northwest Business Development Association does

Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA) is a private non-profit Certified Development Company (CDC) headquartered in Spokane Valley, Washington, licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration to administer the SBA 504 long-term fixed-rate loan program across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Founded in 1981/1982, NWBDA operates as an intermediary CDC, partnering with 24+ participating banks and credit unions (including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Umpqua, Banner, Columbia, Heritage, WaFd, and Washington Trust Bank) to structure three-party financing in which a senior lender funds up to 50%, the SBA-guaranteed CDC debenture covers up to 40%, and the borrower contributes at least 10% equity. NWBDA earns transaction and servicing fees (approximately 2.65% of the debenture plus a 1% commitment fee reimbursed at closing) and operates an affiliated grant program (9019 RE Holdings LLC) that disbursed $149,000 in economic development grants in 2024 to community organizations.

The organization's core product surface consists of the SBA 504 Loan Program supplemented by an online 504 Loan Calculator, downloadable 504 Loan Application Forms, an Eligibility Checklist self-assessment, and a Small Business Resources hub. Loan processing is conducted on SBA-standard systems including VENTURES+ (loan management) and BMI (document management); NWBDA does not operate a proprietary technology platform. Customer segments include for-profit small businesses seeking fixed-asset financing, veteran-owned businesses (which receive $2,500 closing-cost credits and priority consideration), woman- and minority-owned businesses qualifying under SBA public-policy goals, and start-up businesses (subject to a 15% equity injection versus the standard 10%).

Go-to-market is relationship-driven rather than digital: four regional Business Development Officers cover discrete territories across the three-state footprint, supported by referral partnerships with SCORE chapters and the Washington, Oregon, and Idaho Small Business Development Centers, plus the participating-lender network. NWBDA reports helping over 1,790 small businesses and facilitating approximately $1.175 billion in cumulative funding since inception, with 17 SBA 504 loans totaling $448.5M in project value funded over the most recent two-year reporting window. The 18-person organization is led by President Aliza Seay with Senior Vice President/COO Tracy Bridgens, Chief Credit Officer Jesse Smit, and a regionally distributed Business Development team.

Name

Northwest Business Development Association

Legal name

Northwest Business Development Association

Website

https://nwbusiness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Northwest Business Development Association is a non-profit Certified Development Company licensed by the U.S. SBA, administering long-term fixed-rate SBA 504 loans for small businesses across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. It partners with 24+ lenders and has facilitated roughly $1.175 billion in small-business financing since 1981/1982.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Commercial Lending (SBA 504 Loans)

NAICS

All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI)

Keywords

• SBA 504 loans
• Small business financing
• Commercial real estate loans
• Fixed-rate lending
• CDC services

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. SBA 504 Loan Processing and Servicing Fees: As a CDC, NWBDA earns fees from processing and servicing SBA 504 loans. Fees total approximately 2.65% of the debenture and are financed with the loan. NWBDA also collects a 1% commitment fee from borrowers at the time of application, which is reimbursed at closing of the debenture.
2. Economic Development Grants: NWBDA's parent company, 9019 RE Holdings LLC, provides annual economic development grants ($10,000-$50,000 per grant) to qualifying organizations. This is a philanthropic expenditure rather than revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA) is a non-profit Certified Development Company (CDC) licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration to administer the SBA 504 loan program across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The organization facilitates long-term, fixed-rate financing for small businesses seeking to purchase land, buildings, and major equipment, structuring loans with a third-party senior lender (up to 50%), an SBA-guaranteed debenture (up to 40%), and borrower equity (as little as 10%). NWBDA also supports economic development through affiliated grant programs administered by its parent company, 9019 RE Holdings LLC.

Product overview

Northwest Business Development Association offers a single unified product: the SBA 504 Loan Program, a long-term fixed-rate small business financing tool administered in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and private-sector lenders. The core program is supplemented by supporting tools including an online 504 Loan Calculator for estimating costs, downloadable 504 Loan Application Forms with required documentation checklists, and an Eligibility Checklist for self-assessment. Additional resources include a Small Business Resources hub connecting borrowers with SCORE mentors, Small Business Development Centers, and SBA programs, as well as an affiliated grant program (9019 RE Holdings) that provides economic development grants to community organizations. The organization operates exclusively in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as a licensed Certified Development Company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 9019 Grants: An economic development grant program administered by NWBDA's affiliated company 9019 RE Holdings LLC, providing annual grants up to $50,000 to community organizations supporting business development, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

Products and services

• SBA 504 Loan Program A long-term financing tool providing growing businesses with fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets including land, buildings, and equipment, structured as up to 50% third-party senior lender, up to 40% CDC (SBA-guaranteed debenture), and at least 10% borrower equity injection. Available in 10-year, 20-year, and 25-year fixed-rate terms.
• 504 Loan Calculator An online calculator that helps small businesses estimate their gross debenture, down payment, and monthly payment amounts for SBA 504 loans, with breakdowns for first mortgage, SBA 504 loan structure, and borrower injection requirements.
• SBA 504 Loan Application Forms Downloadable application package including NWBDA Application, SBA Form 1244, 4506-C tax authorization, business debt schedule, environmental questionnaire, personal financial statements, and additional supporting documentation required for the 504 loan application process.
• Eligibility Checklist An online eligibility assessment tool that small businesses can use to determine if they qualify for an SBA 504 loan based on criteria including business type, financing purpose, net worth thresholds, occupancy requirements, and citizenship status.
• Economic Development Grants (9019 RE Holdings) An affiliated grant program administered by 9019 RE Holdings LLC (NWBDA's parent company) that awards annual grants of $10,000 to $50,000 to certified micro-lenders, economic development organizations, workforce development companies, and non-profits supporting business development outcomes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Quantifiable outcome

• $94 in tax revenue generated for every $1 lent under SBA 504 program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Baker Boyer National BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender in the SBA 504 program. Baker Boyer National Bank provides the senior lien (first mortgage) portion of 504 loans alongside NWBDA's CDC financing.
• Bank of AmericacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender in the SBA 504 program. Bank of America provides senior lien financing for 504 projects.
• Banner BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender in the SBA 504 program providing first mortgage financing.
• Celtic Bank CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender providing first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• Columbia BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender and board member organization (Erica Erdozain serves on NWBDA board). Columbia Bank provides first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• Heritage BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender and board member organization (Rob Stewart serves as NWBDA Vice Chairperson). Heritage Bank provides first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• JPMorgan ChasecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender providing first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• Umpqua BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender that provided financing for Cascade Automation's SBA 504 project. Umpqua Bank provides first mortgage financing for 504 projects.
• Washington Trust BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender and board member organization (Cory Allen serves on NWBDA board). Washington Trust Bank provides first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• Wheatland BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender and board member organization (Joe Druffel serves on NWBDA board). Wheatland Bank provides first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• WaFd BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender and board member organization (Scott Bossom serves as NWBDA Chairperson). WaFd Bank provides first mortgage financing for SBA 504 projects.
• Community First BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating lender that financed Amendment XXI bar/brewpub through SBA 504 program. Community First Bank provides first mortgage financing for 504 projects.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWBDA is licensed as a Certified Development Company (CDC) by SBA. SBA provides a 100% guarantee on debentures issued by the CDC, enabling NWBDA to offer long-term fixed-rate financing to small businesses through the SBA 504 program.
• SCOREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWBDA is a proud sponsor of SCORE, which provides free/low-cost business mentoring, classes, and training to small businesses. SCORE refers potential SBA 504 borrowers to NWBDA. NWBDA hosted Spokane T.H.R.I.V.E. cohort sessions.
• Idaho Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC provides free face-to-face counseling and training to small businesses in Idaho. NWBDA maintains referral relationships with state SBDCs to direct borrowers to appropriate resources.
• Oregon Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC provides free face-to-face counseling and training to small businesses in Oregon. NWBDA maintains referral relationships with state SBDCs.
• Washington Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBDC provides free face-to-face counseling and training to small businesses in Washington. NWBDA maintains referral relationships with state SBDCs.
• Umpqua BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLending partner that provided first mortgage financing for Cascade Automation's SBA 504 project.
• Heritage BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLending partner that provided financing for McGinness Family Insurance's SBA 504 project for a veteran-owned business.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kiva: International non-profit operating a crowdfunded microloan platform for small businesses, including U.S. small business loans. Comparable to NWBDA as a mission-driven small business lender serving underbanked borrowers, though funded via P2P rather than SBA-guaranteed debentures.
• Capital Impact Partners: National CDFI providing capital and capacity-building support to underinvested communities, including small business lending programs. Comparable to NWBDA in mission-driven lending, but operating nationally and at significantly greater scale with a broader product set.
• Accion: National non-profit small business lender providing loans, coaching, and resources to underbanked small businesses across the U.S. Comparable to NWBDA in serving the SBA/SMB lending market, though operating at substantially greater scale and without the CDC-specific SBA 504 focus.
• Grameen America: National non-profit microfinance organization providing small-dollar loans to entrepreneurs in low-income communities. Comparable to NWBDA in mission-driven small business lending focus, but operates a different microfinance model rather than the SBA 504 CDC structure.

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC): Wisconsin-based CDC and CDFI administering SBA 504 loans alongside broader small business lending and education. Comparable to NWBDA in mission, structure (non-profit CDC), and SBA 504 focus, with similar emphasis on women- and minority-owned business segments.
• Craft3: Pacific Northwest-focused community development financial institution (CDFI) providing loans and business support to small businesses and non-profits in Washington and Oregon. Directly comparable to NWBDA as a regional, mission-driven small business lender with overlapping territory and similar customer profile.
• CDC Small Business Finance: California-based Certified Development Company administering SBA 504 loans for small businesses. Operates the same SBA 504 model as NWBDA, with parallel fee revenue structure and third-party lender partnership approach, making it a strong model peer for benchmarking portfolio growth and operations.
• BCL of Texas (Business & Community Lenders): Texas-based CDFI and CDC providing SBA 504 loans and small business financing to underserved Texas small businesses. Operates the same SBA 504 program mechanics as NWBDA, making it a directly comparable peer in another regional market.

Emerging players

• Pacific Community Ventures: California-based non-profit that provides small business capital and advisory services, including SBA 504 loans, to underserved small businesses in the Western U.S. Comparable to NWBDA as a West Coast mission-driven small business capital provider, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/northwestbda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nwbda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Business Development Association