The Progress Fund made its first loan in 1998. That very first borrower stayed a borrower of The Progress Fund until 2024 when they sold their successful business and started a new chapter in life. Along the way, we also provided them five more loans to grow their enterprise.
The point is, we were there for the long haul. That isn’t rare for us.
Derailleur Bike Shop and Café came to us in 2013 for start-up funding. We provided $60,000 for Dee and Gavin to renovate a shabby and forgotten post office and country store along the Butler Freeport Community Trail (yes, we love trail businesses). As their business grew, we provided another $6,000 to add a fleet of rental bikes and an espresso machine.
Dee and Gavin are at it again. They opened the “Nest“. The Nest is a cute, clean, and comfortable overnight accommodation they added to their Bike Shop and Café building, which already is a destination along the rail trail.
Dee says, “The bedroom is furnished with a queen-sized bed, nice linens and is cheery with great light. Small but functional kitchenette. Fully remodeled bathroom with plenty of hot water for a bath or shower after a long ride on the beautiful Butler Freeport Community Trail.”
You can “Nest” there for a great evening and bike ride. As for us, we are planning to stay with them much longer…12 years and counting!
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