Great Lakes Commercial Finance

10/12/2026

🌲 GLCF Takes on Portland! ✈️

Last week, eight GLCF team members traveled to Portland, Oregon, for the NADCO NOW Conference, with four attending for the first time!

It was a great week of learning, connecting with others in the SBA 504 industry, sharing ideas, and bringing back new perspectives to better serve our borrowers and lending partners. We also made time to explore Portland, enjoy some great experiences, and have fun together outside the office!

We’re glad to have had the opportunity to learn, connect, and spend time together as a team. Here are a few highlights from our week! 📸

10/07/2026

Celebrating 5 Years with Sue! 🎉

Today, we're proud to celebrate Sue's 5-year work anniversary with Great Lakes Commercial Finance!

As our Senior Underwriter, Sue plays a critical role in helping move projects from application to approval, ensuring each loan is thoughtfully reviewed and positioned for success. Her expertise, dedication, and attention to detail have made her an invaluable part of the GLCF team and a trusted resource for our lending partners.

Over the past fiscal year alone, Sue successfully underwrote 24 SBA 504 loans, helping businesses across Michigan access the financing they need to grow, expand, and create opportunities in their communities.

Please join us in congratulating Sue on this milestone and thanking her for five outstanding years at GLCF!

🎊 Happy 5-Year Anniversary, Sue! 🎊

10/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Shannon on being the 2027 President of CREW West Michigan!

Shannon's commitment to CREW West Michigan has been evident throughout her years of service and leadership. Currently serving as President-Elect, she will step into the role of President in 2027, continuing a longstanding dedication to advancing CREW's mission and supporting professionals across the commercial real estate industry.

Through her service on the Board of Directors, Shannon has helped guide the organization's growth, strengthen industry connections, and create opportunities for current and future members. Her leadership, professionalism, and passion for the industry have made a lasting impact on CREW West Michigan and the broader business community.

We are excited to see the positive influence Shannon will continue to have as she leads CREW West Michigan into its next chapter. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

10/02/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Gary Witkowski on His Promotion and 18 Years with GLCF!

We are pleased to announce Gary’s promotion to Executive Vice President as he celebrates 18 years with GLCF this weekend. Throughout his career, Gary has played a key role in advancing our mission, building strong lending partnerships, and helping Michigan businesses access the financing they need to grow and create jobs.

In his new role, Gary will continue leading our business development and sales efforts while taking on additional management and operational responsibilities across the organization. His leadership, industry expertise, and commitment to our mission make him an invaluable part of GLCF's future.

Over the past year, Gary has stepped into an even greater leadership role while continuing to support borrowers and lending partners directly. In addition to leading our sales team, he served as the loan officer on three projects totaling more than $3.8 million in financing.

We are grateful for Gary's dedication, leadership, and 18 years of service. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved promotion and remarkable milestone.

10/01/2026

Recently Approved! 🎯

A company in Kent County is expanding operations by purchasing a facility and making related improvements, made possible through an SBA 504 loan.
This $1.8 million project marks the second loan this borrower has completed with GLCF, a testament to the long-term partnership and continued growth that the SBA 504 program helps support.

In addition to the SBA 504 financing, manufacturing incentives played an important role in the borrower's decision to move forward with the project, helping maximize available resources and strengthen the overall investment. Businesses considering expansion should know these incentives may be available to support their growth plans as well.

The SBA 504 program continues to provide accessible, long-term financing for businesses ready to invest in their next chapter, and when combined with available incentive programs, it can be an even more powerful tool for business growth.

Our team worked hard to bring this deal across the finish line.

👏 Loan Officer: Bradd Pierce
👏 Loan Processor: Sue LeBlanc
👏 Closing Processor: Teresa Brooks

Don't wait to take the next step. Start your project with GLCF today. 📲

09/30/2026

📬 Our September newsletter is here!

This month's issue highlights key SBA lending updates, recent GLCF news, and opportunities available to Michigan businesses through SBA financing programs. We also recap the success of our 18th Annual Lenders Cup and share what's happening across the GLCF community.

Read the full newsletter here:

Email from Great Lakes Commercial Finance September 2026   New For FY 2026: 🏭 Manufacturing Rates (NAICS 31–33): 📌 25-year: 6.30% 📌 20-year: 6.29% 📌 10-year: 6.31%  SBA has waived both the upf

09/18/2026

What a fantastic day at GLCF's 18th Annual Lenders Cup Golf Tournament!

We sincerely thank the incredible sponsors whose support made this year's event such a success. We truly appreciate your partnership, generosity, and commitment to our event.

⭐ Title Sponsor: Sun Title
⭐ Eagle Sponsors: Element 22 Commercial Group, Plunkett Cooney, and Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
⭐ Breakfast Sponsor: Distel Thiede Advisory Services, LLC
⭐ Boxed Lunch Sponsor: DPT Solutions
⭐ Bloody Mary Bar Sponsor: Independence Business Consulting
⭐ Hole Sponsors: Transnation Title Agency, TriTerra, Stafford Rosenbaum Law, Watermark Advisory Group, GRand Environmental, Applied Environmental, CD Barnes Construction, CREW West Michigan, and SES Environmental

Thank you to all of our sponsors and golfers who joined us on the course. We are grateful for your continued partnership and support, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
⛳

09/16/2026

🎉 Celebrating 27 Years of Leadership 🎉

Today, we are proud to recognize GLCF President & CEO, Julie Parker, on her 27th work anniversary.

Julie began her CDC career in 1999 as a loan assistant with the Economic Development Foundation (EDF). Her journey later led her to Lakeshore 504, where she served as Executive Director for more than 14 years before returning to EDF in 2015. Her leadership played a pivotal role in bringing the two organizations together, resulting in the 2017 merger and evolution into Great Lakes Commercial Finance (GLCF).

Over the past 27 years, Julie's vision, dedication, and expertise have helped strengthen the SBA 504 Loan Program across Michigan while supporting the growth of countless small businesses and communities.

Thank you, Julie, for your commitment, leadership, and the lasting impact you continue to make. Congratulations on this incredible milestone!

09/15/2026

📈 Fall Into Better Financing — September Rates Are Here 📈

As summer winds down, it's a great time to take a fresh look at SBA 504 financing through GLCF. Long-term, fixed-rate funding gives your business a steady foundation to plan ahead with confidence, whatever the season brings.

Manufacturers and growing businesses in particular can still tap into meaningful incentives and structured financing options through GLCF. If a purchase, expansion, or refinance is on the horizon, now's the time to put a solid plan in motion.

📞 Give our office a call at (616) 459-4825 to talk through your project.
👉 Check out current September rates and incentives here: https://buff.ly/TcEGM1o

09/08/2026

Great Lakes Commercial Finance is growing!

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Credit Analyst. This role supports the underwriting and credit analysis functions for SBA 504 loans and SBA 7(a) loans, along with other credit-related responsibilities across the organization.

If you have a strong eye for detail and a passion for helping small businesses access the financing they need to grow, we would love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply here: https://buff.ly/UXIBEFj