Safe Harbor Financial, Collective Clean Energy Fund and Partner Colorado Credit Union Collaborate to Fund $500,000 Sustainable Upgrade Loan for Denver Cannabis Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

Safe Harbor Financial (NASDAQ: SHFS) has announced a $500,000 loan to PI 51st Avenue, (Natty Rems) through the Cannabis Resource Optimization Program (CROP). The loan, developed in partnership with Collective Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) and Partner Colorado Credit Union (PCCU), will fund energy-efficient upgrades at a Denver cannabis facility.

The financing includes favorable terms through a cash collateral arrangement and interest rate buydown from CCEF, enabling investment in energy-saving lighting and equipment. This initiative addresses the significant energy consumption in Colorado's cannabis sector, where energy costs represent approximately 33% of growers' operating expenses and cannabis facilities account for an estimated 2% of the state's electricity usage.

Positive

• Secured new $500,000 loan agreement demonstrating lending capability
• Strategic partnership with CCEF and PCCU expands financing options
• Program addresses high operating costs in cannabis cultivation (33% energy expenses)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

This $500,000 sustainable upgrade loan represents a strategic move in the cannabis financing space. The partnership structure between Safe Harbor Financial, CCEF and PCCU is innovative, creating a blueprint for future green financing in the cannabis industry. The deal's significance lies in its ability to address two critical challenges: access to capital and energy cost reduction.

With energy costs comprising 33% of operating expenses for Colorado cannabis growers, this efficiency upgrade could significantly improve PI 51st Avenue's profit margins. The reduced borrowing costs through CCEF's interest rate buydown make the ROI proposition more attractive. This type of financing structure could become increasingly important as the industry faces pressure to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining profitability.

Environmental Technology Expert

The energy efficiency upgrades funded by this loan address a significant environmental challenge in the cannabis industry. With cannabis facilities consuming 2% of Colorado's electricity, these improvements could have meaningful impact on reducing the sector's carbon footprint. The focus on LED lighting upgrades is particularly strategic, as lighting typically represents one of the largest energy draws in indoor cultivation.

The program's structure, combining nonprofit clean energy funding with traditional financing, creates a replicable model for sustainable cannabis facility upgrades. This approach could accelerate the industry's transition to more energy-efficient operations while providing substantial operational cost savings.

Innovative Loan Partnership Drives Energy Savings and Sustainable Operations in Colorado’s Cannabis Sector

GOLDEN, Colo., Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor Financial (“Safe Harbor” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHFS), a leading provider of financial services and credit facilities to the regulated cannabis industry, announced the closing of a $500,000 loan to PI 51st Avenue, LLC, a subsidiary of Pioneer Interests, Inc., d/b/a Natty Rems, LLC. This loan, offered under the Cannabis Resource Optimization Program (CROP) and facilitated through partnerships with the Collective Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) and Partner Colorado Credit Union (PCCU), will support energy-efficient upgrades at PI 51st Avenue’s cultivation and processing facility in Denver, Colorado. The loan proceeds will allow PI 51st Avenue to invest in energy-saving lighting and other essential equipment, advancing both operational efficiency and sustainability in its cannabis production.

This unique collaboration leverages resources from CCEF, a nonprofit focused on clean energy financing, and PCCU, to offer competitive loan terms to PI 51st Avenue. Through a cash collateral arrangement and an interest rate buydown agreement provided by CCEF, the loan offers significantly reduced borrowing costs to PI 51st Avenue, underscoring Safe Harbor’s commitment to supporting sustainable practices within the cannabis industry.

“Through partnerships like these, Safe Harbor Financial is leading the way in providing cannabis businesses with tailored financing solutions that promote both industry growth and sustainability,” said Safe Harbor Financial CEO Sundie Seefried. “Our collaboration with CCEF and PCCU exemplifies our ability to access resources from both nonprofit and financial institutions to offer cost-effective, environmentally conscious financing within the cannabis sector, setting a benchmark for responsible lending.”

“Safe Harbor’s commitment to smart lending solutions is helping us take critical steps toward reducing our environmental footprint, while improving our operations,” said Matthew Shifrin, CEO of Pioneer Interests, Inc. “We’re proud to partner with an organization that is pioneering green financial solutions within the cannabis industry and setting a standard for responsible operations.”

Paul Scharfenberger, CEO of Collective Clean Energy Fund, added, “At Collective Clean Energy Fund, we believe that innovative financing solutions are key to building a sustainable future, especially in energy-intensive sectors like cannabis cultivation. This partnership represents how targeted financial support can drive meaningful energy reductions and cost savings for cannabis operators, while also supporting Colorado’s broader clean energy goals.”

Cannabis cultivation facilities in Colorado account for an estimated 2% of the state’s electricity consumption, making energy efficiency crucial for both environmental impact and cost savings. Energy expenses, including electricity, natural gas and propane, represent nearly 33% of operating costs for Colorado cannabis growers. Safe Harbor’s CROP loan program enables cannabis businesses to reduce these expenses and resource usage, reaffirming Safe Harbor’s position as a leader in sustainable financing for the industry.

About Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor is among the first service providers to offer compliance, monitoring and validation services to financial institutions, providing traditional banking services to cannabis, hemp, CBD, and ancillary operators, making communities safer, driving growth in local economies, and fostering long-term partnerships. Safe Harbor, through its financial institution clients, implements high standards of accountability, transparency, monitoring, reporting and risk mitigation measures while meeting Bank Secrecy Act obligations in line with FinCEN guidance on cannabis-related businesses. Over the past eight years, Safe Harbor has facilitated more than $23 billion in deposit transactions for businesses with operations spanning over 41 states and US territories with regulated cannabis markets. For more information, visit www.shfinancial.org.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to trends in the cannabis industry, including proposed changes in U.S and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance relating to Safe Harbor’s services; Safe Harbor’s growth prospects and Safe Harbor’s market size; Safe Harbor’s projected financial and operational performance, including relative to its competitors and historical performance; new product and service offerings Safe Harbor may introduce in the future; the impact volatility in the capital markets, which may adversely affect the price of Safe Harbor’s securities; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Safe Harbor; and other statements regarding Safe Harbor’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “outlook,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Safe Harbor’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Safe Harbor undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Safe Harbor Media Contacts:
Nick Callaio, Marketing Manager
720.951.0619
Nick@SHFinancial.org

Ellen Mellody
570.209.2947
safeharbor@kcsa.com

Safe Harbor Investor Relations Contact:
ir@SHFinancial.org

FAQ

What is the value of Safe Harbor Financial's (SHFS) recent loan to PI 51st Avenue?

Safe Harbor Financial provided a $500,000 loan to PI 51st Avenue, through their Cannabis Resource Optimization Program (CROP).

How much of Colorado's electricity consumption comes from cannabis facilities according to SHFS?

According to the announcement, cannabis cultivation facilities account for approximately 2% of Colorado's total electricity consumption.

What percentage of operating costs do energy expenses represent for Colorado cannabis growers according to SHFS?

Energy expenses, including electricity, natural gas and propane, represent nearly 33% of operating costs for Colorado cannabis growers.