SCALE UP Henrico program offering no-interest small business loans

Henrico County and its nonprofit partner Bridging Virginia are expanding and relaunching a loan program that offers no-interest loans to help small businesses grow and create jobs in the county.

Through the SCALE UP Henrico program, eligible businesses can receive loans from $10,000 to $75,000 at 0% interest. Henrico’s Department of Community Revitalization established the program in 2025 using $250,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds. Initially, it was known as the Henrico County Small Business Loan Fund.

Now rebranded as SCALE UP Henrico, the program has been expanded with financial support from the Henrico Economic Development Authority and additional CDBG funds. Overall funding for the program totals $750,000, which includes funds available for loans, administration and other assistance.

"Connecting small businesses with available resources has always been central to the work of the Henrico Economic Development Authority,” said Ebonie Atkins, managing director of the Henrico EDA. “SCALE UP Henrico allows the EDA to directly invest in Henrico’s small businesses, having a firsthand impact on their growth and success.”

“Henrico has been steadily creating and enhancing its tools to help small business succeed throughout the county,” said David Sacks, community development manager for Henrico Community Revitalization. “These tools started with the Enterprise Zone program and grew to include the Henrico Investment Program, which has since been expanded. Now, SCALE UP Henrico is poised to offer additional support in the form of no-interest loans to help entrepreneurs create thriving businesses and jobs for residents.”

SCALE UP Henrico is being relaunched as part of the Spark RVA Small Business Celebration, which will be held Wednesday, April 29 at Capital One West Creek. The free event, organized by Bridging Virginia, will celebrate and connect entrepreneurs and highlight May as National Small Business Month. Bridging Virginia administers the loan program and provides no-cost coaching and technical assistance to loan recipients.

“Small businesses are at the heart of vibrant communities, and every entrepreneur deserves the chance to grow with confidence,” said Leah Fremouw, president and CEO of Bridging Virginia. “SCALE UP Henrico is about believing in the people behind the businesses – their vision, their hard work and their potential to create a lasting impact. We’re honored to partner with Henrico County to provide not only no-interest loans, but also coaching and support that help business owners strengthen their foundations, create jobs and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.”

SCALE UP Henrico is expected to provide as many as 20 loans to Henrico-based small businesses during the next three years. The funds can be used to address a variety of needs, including staffing; marketing and customer outreach; equipment and inventory; and working capital.

To be eligible for a loan, small businesses must be located in Henrico, create at least one full-time job that is paid a living wage and demonstrate how a loan would support their long-term growth and stability.

BilingualKid Language Immersion School, one of SCALE UP Henrico’s first three loan recipients, plans to use the funds for building renovations that will allow the preschool to expand. BilingualKid, which teaches English, Spanish and American Sign Language, currently serves children ages 3 to 5 but plans to grow to accept toddlers, as well.

“Definitely, I recommend SCALE UP Henrico to other small businesses,” said Claudia Robles, the preschool’s founder. “It has added a lot of value to my business, having a 0% loan that’s going to help me create more jobs and be able to welcome more children and families to our program. It’s making a life-changing experience for us.”

For details about SCALE UP Henrico, visit bridgingvirginia.com/henrico or e-mail cahub@bridgingvirginia.org.