504 in 406
In 2019, Dakota Business Lending began offering their services to small businesses in rural Montana under the SBA 504 Loan Program Rural Initiative Pilot Program (504 Rural Pilot). After receiving feedback from this program, they found a significant need and opportunity to open up their services to all small business throughout the state, not just in rural areas, and officially became a multi-state CDC serving the entire state of Montana. In 2022, they expanded all their special loan programs to be available across the state.
Meet the 406 Team
Meet Christie, Anjie, and Jo Ann – the driving forces of 504 in 406! With a passion for assisting small businesses along their entrepreneurial journey, these three are always going the extra mile to set businesses up for success. Collaboration is their strong suit, and they seek to create partnerships that will help you secure the financing you need to start, expand, and truly make an impact.
Whether your in the beginning stages of planning your startup business or are ready to grow and expand your established business, our 406 team is here for you.
Christie Williams
Business Development Officer
Central and Eastern MT
Anjie Martins
Sr. Credit Manager
Jo Ann Back
Business Development Officer
Western MT
Julie Jaksha
Director of Small Business Advising
SBA 504 Loan Program in Montana
Dakota Business Lending in Montana offers the SBA 504 loan program – one of the best kept secrets in the small business financing world today. The program can finance long-term fixed assets and offers benefits such as:
Up to 90% financing
10, 20, and 25-year term options
Fixed, below-market interest rates
Minimum 10% down payment
SBA 504 Structure Examples
Depending on the type of business and what the loan will be used for, there are several ways that your loan may be structured.
The typical SBA 504 loan is structured in a 50-40-10 model:
- 50% financed by a third party lender
- 40% financed by Dakota Business Lending and the SBA
- 10% financed by the borrower in the form of a down payment
*Loan structure may vary. Please contact us to learn more & get specific details on your project’s structure.
The SBA 504 Loan Program in Action
The real measure of our success and impact is told in the stories of our borrowers: the entrepreneurs and businesses that dared to turn a dream into a plan into a reality. Check out how the SBA 504 loan program helped this therapy practice in Bozeman, MT.
Green Flag - Therapy and Training
- Ania Bartkowiak discovered her passion for counseling while working as an advocate at Haven in Gallatin County
- Started Green Flag, a therapy practice of her own, in 2016
- The COVID-19 pandemic allowed her to bring more therapists into the practice, but there was no room in their office when they were ready to return to in-person appointments
- Used the SBA 504 loan program to purchase and renovate a building to include 6 office suites
- Now has 5 more therapists and can serve an additional 35 people in Bozeman and Gallatin County
Other Loan Programs
In 2022, Dakota Business Lending expanded all their special loan programs to be available across the state. Learn more about these additional programs and the financing opportunities they offer for small business owners.
Borrower Resources
There are a variety of FREE resources and programs available for small businesses throughout Montana. Here are a few that we commonly refer our borrowers to for entrepreneurial development resources such as education, training, and technical assistance:
MT Women's Business Center
Assists current & potential women business owners with training, technology, & business development
MT Small Business Development Center
Assists small businesses with business plans and financial projections
SCORE Mentors
Retired business owners volunteer to mentor and counsel small business owners
The Small Business Administration (SBA) website also contains a wealth of information on starting and running a business, including:
Small Business Resource Guide
Download this guide that includes various aspects on starting and operating a business
SBA Learning Center
This portal includes many online training courses on almost every aspect of business ownership
Dakota Business Newsletter
Email dedicated to providing valuable information about starting & growing a small business
Lender Resources
Are you wanting to know more about the SBA 504 loan program and if it’s the right fit for your borrower? Download our resources below to get an overview of the SBA 504 / Debt Refinance programs and their requirements.
Meet the Montana Loan Review Committee
In order to better serve the state of Montana, Dakota Business Lending has created a separate loan committee for their Montana office comprised of representatives from various sectors in business, lending, and economic development throughout the state.
Bert Bartle
First Elected - 2020
Currently serving as VP/Sr. Commercial Loan Officer for Opportunity Bank in Bozeman, MT, Bert brings extensive knowledge in SBA, USDA, and other financing programs to the Montana Loan Review Committee. His experience allows him to work with borrowers and counsel businesses to create financing solutions to meet their needs.
Chad Molden
First Elected - 2020
Chad truly knows the ins and outs of combining traditional financing methods with non-traditional sources to help small businesses secure financing to meet their needs. He has an extensive understanding of what small businesses need to thrive in rural settings and currently serves as a Commercial Loan Officer for Stockman Bank in Sidney, MT.
Marguerite Jodry
First Elected - 2022
As co-owner of Zest Kitchen and Cookware in Billings, MT, Marguerite understands firsthand what it takes to manage and grow a business. Her real-world experience makes her a great advocate, partner, and advisor to small businesses across the state, especially as they navigate challenges such as staffing, supply chain issues, and others that entrepreneurs experience today.
Brandon Boka
First Elected - 2024
As a Commercial Relationship Manager for First Interstate Bank in Helena, MT, Brandon’s work with small businesses on a daily basis makes him a valuable resource for helping businesses get the financing they need to succeed. His enthusiasm for finding financing solutions and understanding of the overall loan process provides a significant perspective to the Montana committee.
Abby Byerly
First Elected - 2024
Abby lives out her passion for production agriculture and local food in her role as the Food & Agriculture Development Center Director for Snowy Mountain Development and co-owner of Montana RancHERS Beef Co while working alongside her parents on the family farm and cattle ranch. Her years of experience working in ag, local/global economic development, and as a woman business owner make her instrumental to the success of businesses through the state.
AJ Spear
First Elected - 2024
Currently serving as VP/Commercial Loan Officer for Glacier Bank in Whitefish, MT, AJ brings over two decades of commercial banking and financing knowledge to the Montana Loan Review Committee. His experience offers a valuable perspective on small business loans and the impact they have on local communities in western Montana and across the entire state.
Phone
406-760-1002 (Central & Eastern MT)
406-389-5839 (Western MT)
Address
207 W. Main St. Ste. 2,
Office 4
Lewistown, MT 59457