The Regional Development Funding Corporation

What The Regional Development Funding Corporation does

The Regional Development Funding Corporation (RDFC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Development Corporation incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1978 (originally as Pittsburgh-Countywide Corporation, Inc., renamed in March 1998) that operates as a certified SBA 504 lender and U.S. Department of Commerce EDA intermediary. The organization markets, negotiates, packages, closes, and services federal small-business loan programs across a 17-county concentration area in western Pennsylvania, with statewide authorization. Its two principal loan products are SBA 504 loans (covering up to 40% of project costs, with maximums of $1.5M standard, $2M for public policy goals, and $4M for small manufacturers, structured alongside 50% commercial bank participation and 10% borrower equity) and EDA revolving loans ($25K-$250K, typically 33-50% of project costs) for businesses in the City of Pittsburgh and County of Allegheny. RDFC also serves as intermediary for the SBA's Women-Owned, Minority-Owned, and Veteran-Owned Business Pre-qualification Program across the 27-county SBA Pittsburgh District Office service area, jointly with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

The organization is operated by a three-person team led by Executive Director Rebecca L. MacBlane, with Gail M. Kephart as Loan Portfolio Manager and Fay D. Palmer as Loan Servicing Specialist. Revenue is generated entirely through transaction fees: a $750 application fee, a 1% closing fee, and a 1% annual servicing fee (with a $250 minimum) on each originated and serviced loan. No revenue figure is publicly disclosed. Distribution is direct: loan officers conduct outreach and calling programs, participate in community and civic functions, and develop referral relationships with partner financial institutions, economic development agencies, SBDCs, SCORE, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and veteran entrepreneurship programs. Customer segments are concentrated in minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, economically distressed communities in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, young innovative entrepreneurs, and manufacturing and light industry firms seeking fixed-asset financing.

RDFC functions structurally as a regulated intermediary and referral clearinghouse — channeling SBA, EDA, and complementary state program capital (PennCap, PIDA, MELF, SBF, EFP, PMBDA) to underserved small-business borrowers rather than deploying proprietary technology or capital of its own. There is no evidence of AI, machine learning, or proprietary technology adoption; the competitive position rests on federal program certifications, an embedded partnership network, and long-term fixed-rate loan servicing relationships.

Name

The Regional Development Funding Corporation

Legal name

Regional Development Funding Corporation

Website

https://rdfc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Regional Development Funding Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Development Corporation based in Pittsburgh that provides SBA 504 and EDA revolving loan financing to small businesses across 17 western Pennsylvania counties, with a particular focus on minority-owned, women-owned, and economically distressed borrowers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Lending

NAICS

Real Estate Credit (522292)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (BPADACAC), SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI), National/Regional Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (FSABAKAB)

Keywords

• SBA 504 loans
• Economic development financing
• Community development lending
• EDA revolving loans
• Small business financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

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, Others

Revenue model

1. SBA 504 Loan Program Fees: RDFC earns origination and servicing fees on SBA 504 loans. Fee structure includes a $750 application fee, 1% closing fee, and 1% annual servicing fee (minimum $250). Interest rates are competitive with commercial bank rates but fixed for the loan term.
2. EDA Revolving Loan Program Fees: RDFC administers EDA revolving loan funds for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, earning fees on loan transactions including application, closing, and annual servicing fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

RDFC provides direct fixed-rate loan funds (not loan guaranties) for small-business economic development projects, primarily through the SBA 504 Loan Program (up to 40% of project costs, up to $1.5M-$4M, 10-20 year terms) and the EDA Revolving Loan Program ($25K-$250K, typically 33-50% of project costs). Loans finance land/building acquisition, construction/renovation, machinery and equipment, and working capital for businesses in western Pennsylvania, with job-creation requirements tied to each program.

Product overview

The Regional Development Funding Corporation (RDFC) is a non-profit economic development financing organization offering a portfolio of loan programs and referral services. The primary offerings include the SBA 504 Loan Program for fixed asset financing (land, buildings, construction, machinery) with loan sizes up to $4 million, and the EDA Revolving Loan Program providing smaller loans ($25,000-$250,000) for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County businesses. RDFC also acts as an intermediary for the SBA Pre-qualification Program targeting women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, and serves as a clearinghouse referral service connecting borrowers with various state and federal government loan programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SBA 504 Loan Program
• EDA Revolving Loan Program
• SBA Pre-qualification Program Intermediary Services
• Government Resource Referral Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 job created or retained per $50,000 of SBA 504 loan funds
• +3 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPC and RDFC were designated jointly to represent the SBA Pre-qualification Program in the 27-county Pittsburgh District Office service area.
• Small Business Development Centers NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with university-based SBDCs including Clarion University, Duquesne University, Gannon University, Penn State University, Saint Francis University, Saint Vincent College, and University of Pittsburgh for resource referrals and small business support.
• Commercial Banks and Financial InstitutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSBA 504 loans require participation of commercial lenders (typically 50% of financing). EDA loans also require commercial lender participation. RDFC develops relationships with partner financing institutions for project co-financing.
• African American Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource referral partner for minority-owned business support and economic development services.
• Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for entrepreneurial mentorship and small business guidance resources.
• Veterans Entrepreneurial Training (VET) Program - Robert Morris UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource referral partner for veteran entrepreneurship support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Reinvestment Fund: Philadelphia-based CDFI providing financing for real estate, small business, and community development. Comparable as a Pennsylvania-based CDC/CDFI offering SBA-style small business and real estate lending.
• Bridgeway Capital: Pittsburgh-based CDFI providing loans and capital to small businesses and non-profits in western Pennsylvania. Directly comparable to RDFC in mission, geography, and small business lending focus.
• Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): Maine-based CDFI providing SBA 504 lending and small business financing to underserved communities. Direct peer in mission, structure, and SBA 504/EDA-style program participation.
• TruFund Financial Services: National CDFI providing small business loans, including SBA 504 programs, to underserved communities across multiple states. Direct peer in SBA 504 lending model and mission-driven target segments.
• Community First Fund: Lancaster, PA-based CDFI offering SBA 504 and small business lending to underserved entrepreneurs. Direct peer given overlapping SBA 504 certification and small business mission.
• National Development Council (NDC): National nonprofit DFI that operates SBA 504 loan programs and economic development financing across multiple states. Comparable as an SBA-certified CDC providing fixed-asset and small business loans.
• The Progress Fund: Pennsylvania-based CDFI focused on rural and underserved small businesses, including hospitality, food systems, and rural manufacturing. Comparable to RDFC's SBA 504 / EDA-style lending to economically distressed communities.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI with deep presence in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania offering small business loans, real estate financing, and community development capital. Broad-incumbent peer operating at greater scale with overlapping target markets.

Others

• Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC): Regional planning and economic development agency co-designated with RDFC to represent the SBA Pre-qualification Program in the 27-county Pittsburgh District. Partner and ecosystem peer rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA): Pennsylvania state DFI providing low-interest financing for land, building, and equipment acquisition through Industrial Development Corporations. Channel partner to RDFC and comparable provider of state-level development finance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-development-funding

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Regional Development Funding Corporation