Equity Trust is a participating lender in the PVGrows Investment Fund (PVGIF), a collaborative project bringing together agricultural non-profits, community lenders, government agencies, and local foundations to strengthen farm and local food businesses throughout the Pioneer Valley in western Massachusetts. PVGIF provides financing and technical assistance to local farm and food businesses through community investments and offers an investment vehicle for individuals, institutions, and foundations to invest in building a healthier food system. Investments made in PVGIF from the community are pooled together to provide the financing that farm and food entrepreneurs need to grow their business.
The PVGrows Investment Fund has financing available to farm and food businesses for equipment, working capital, startup expenses, and more. PVGIF is designed as an alternative for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional bank financing. We offer competitive interest rates, flexible terms, and loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to $250,000. Loans are available for all types of local farm and food businesses– farms, restaurants, food retailers, food processors, wholesalers, and others.
The PVGrows Investment Fund is part of the broader PVGrows network. PVGrows is a collaborative network dedicated to enhancing the ecological and economic sustainability and vitality of the Pioneer Valley (the watershed of the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts). Together, we can all work to strengthen and grow the local food economy – more vibrant farm and food businesses, more local jobs, and more access to healthy food in the Pioneer Valley.