FFCFC Goes A Long, Long Way For A 504

It is exactly 133.8 miles from Miami to Ramrod Key and 22 miles further to Key West. Serving the Keys and Monroe County from Florida First Capital Finance Corporation’s (FFCFC’s) Miami Office takes a lot of time and effort from two Loan Officers operating from there.

Denise Ramirez and Miguel Nieves spend a lot of time on the Overseas Highway to bring the 504 program to all in Monroe County. In the last two years and because of their willingness to put miles on their cars, FFCFC is the only Certified Development Company (CDC) in the State has done 504 loan projects there. “This speaks volumes about the lengths to which our Loan Officers will go to help a small business grow no matter where it is located. As a matter of record, our company has done projects in 44 of the State’s 67 counties – twice that of any other CDC,” said Todd Kocourek, President and CEO of FFCFC.

“Most recently, Denise put together a $1,575,000 504 loan project to help Jorge and Michelle Tojeiro acquire a gasoline station convenience store on Ramrod Key,” he continued.

The Tojeiro’s company is known as Chevron of Ramrod, Inc., and on her February visit, made several months after the loan closing, Denise related, “Their business is going great. Jorge and Michelle are both in the store all the time. Now they’re working on the dock in the back and setting up a gas pump for boats.”

Mr. Trojeiro was born in Cuba in 1961 and later became a naturalized citizen. He attended Miami-Dade Community College and has worked for several companies gaining the experience he needed to run his own business. The 504 loan was made under the guidelines of the Small Business Administration’ s (SBA’s) Public Policies, Aiding Rural Development and Enhancing Minority Business Development.

“I cannot say enough about the effort Denise made on our behalf in making our acquisition possible,” stated Trojiero, “It’s a six hour drive, round trip from her office to our station, and she’s made the trip several times just for us. When we are ready to start our second station she’ll be the first to know.”

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