APEX Fund

Purpose
The APEX (Agricultural Processing and Export) Loan Program is designed to assist companies in communities with a population of 25,000 or less, which add value to raw agricultural products through processing, or export a minimum of 75 percent of its product to entities outside the State of South Dakota or replace an import. The program is open to for-profit businesses and local economic development corporations.

How it Works
This program may provide up to 75 percent of the total project cost and requires the applicant to secure the other funds before applying for the APEX loan, including a 10 percent minimum equity contribution. The maximum loan amount available from the APEX program is up to $250,000. Eligible project costs include the purchase of land and the associated site improvements, the purchase and installation of machinery and equipment, the construction, acquisition or renovation of a building, and fees, services and other costs associated with construction.

Terms
The interest rate is three percent, depending upon the risk of the project and the amount of participation by APEX. The interest rate will be determined at loan consideration and will be fixed for the life of the loan. The loans are amortized over the useful life of the assets being financed.