Business financing in Custer County.

Small business financing is money you borrow — or sometimes receive as a grant — to start, run, or grow a business.

It can cover equipment, inventory, working capital, real estate, or renovation costs.

In Custer County, most small business owners access financing through one of three paths: a local bank or credit union loan, a loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), or a microloan or grant from a nonprofit lender called a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution).

Unlike personal loans, business financing is typically tied to your business's revenue, time in operation, and your ability to repay — not just your personal credit score.

That's good news if you're building credit or have a thin credit file.

Some lenders also accept an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a Social Security Number, which matters if you're an immigrant entrepreneur.

Financing is not free money — loans must be repaid with interest. But the right loan, from a trustworthy lender, can help your business grow in a sustainable way.

Custer County is a rural, eastern Montana county anchored by Miles City, the county seat.

The local economy depends heavily on ranching and agriculture, oil and gas production, healthcare services, and small retail and service businesses.

If you run a business in any of these sectors — or support them as a contractor or supplier — you're exactly the kind of borrower local lenders and CDFIs are set up to help.

Qualification generally depends on:

- **Time in business:** Many loan products require at least 6–12 months of operation. Startups may qualify for microloans or grant programs instead.

- **Revenue:** Lenders want to see that your business generates enough income to make loan payments. Even informal records (bank statements, invoices) can help.

- **Credit history:** A score of 600+ opens more doors, but some CDFIs and ITIN-friendly lenders work with scores below that — or with no credit score at all.

- **ITIN or SSN:** Both are accepted by many lenders in this guide. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to access most small business financing.

- **Industry fit:** Agriculture, construction, trucking, and service businesses common in Custer County are all eligible for the programs listed below.

Being rural is not a disqualifier — in fact, several state and federal programs specifically target rural counties like Custer.

Before you sit down with a lender, gather as many of these as you can. Not every lender requires all of them, but having them ready speeds up the process and shows you're prepared.

**For all applicants:**

- Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, consular ID / matrícula consular)

- ITIN or SSN

- Most recent 2 years of personal tax returns (or transcripts)

- 3–6 months of personal bank statements

**For your business:**

- Business license or registration (Montana Secretary of State)

- Most recent 2 years of business tax returns (if applicable)

- 3–6 months of business bank statements

- Profit and loss statement (a simple spreadsheet is fine for microloans)

- List of any existing business debts

- Business plan or one-page description of what you do and how you'll use the funds

**For loans secured by property or equipment:**

- Deed, title, or lease agreement for collateral

- Equipment quotes or invoices

**For agriculture-related loans:**

- Farm operating plan or ranch summary

- Land lease or ownership documents

- Prior-year crop or livestock income records

If you're missing some of these, don't be discouraged. CDFIs and credit unions often help you build the documentation as part of the application process.