VALPARAISO, Ind. — The Regional Development Company (RDC) highlighted its 2026 achievements and recognized its top lending partners during its Annual Membership Meeting on Nov. 5, 2026, at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom in Valparaiso.
Based in Valparaiso, RDC is a nonprofit Certified Development Company (CDC) that supports business growth by administering the U.S. Small Business Administration's 504 Loan Program.
In 2026, RDC received approval from the SBA for 19 loans, bringing $10.6 million in SBA financing to local businesses. Of those loans, seven supported women-owned businesses, four supported minority-owned businesses, one supported a rural business, and five supported revitalization projects.
RDC partners with financial institutions to provide financing for businesses across Indiana and nine counties in the Chicagoland area. During 2026, RDC funded 19 loans, helping generate $25.2 million in capital investment and supporting the creation of 92 jobs across Indiana and Illinois.
During the awards ceremony, RDC Chief Lending Officer Niccole Zell recognized the organization's top referring lenders, naming Peoples Bank the 2026 Bank of the Year. Peoples Bank earned the recognition after referring three loans totaling $2,583,000 in SBA 504 debenture dollars.
RDC also recognized Peoples Bank for its longstanding partnership and continued participation in the SBA 504 Loan Program. Throughout its history with RDC, Peoples Bank has funded more than 142 loans, representing $148,642,000 in total capital investment, contributing to the creation of 1,042 jobs, and awarded bank of the year eight times by the RDC.
Benjamin Bochnowski, CEO of Peoples Bank, said, “I’m very proud of what we have accomplished, not just this year, but over the course of many years together. This recognition belongs to our team and reflects what they do for our customers and our community every day.”
In the individual lender categories, Jonathan Hildebrand of Horizon Bank was named Lender of the Year after referring loans totaling $1,817,000 in SBA 504 debenture dollars. Alan Whipps and Timothy Kemp of 1st Source Bank were also recognized, each referring two loans totaling $821,000 in SBA debenture dollars.
RDC also held its 2026 nonlender referral drawing, with Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, selected as the winner for his referral.
Additionally, Dana Hopkins, Loans Operations Officer at First State Bank of Porter received the Support Person of the Year Award, recognizing exceptional contributions from lending partners in nonsales roles.
“Our partnerships with local lenders are at the heart of what we do at RDC,” said Erica Dombey, president and executive director of the Regional Development Company. “Every loan represents a business owner investing in their future, creating jobs and strengthening their community. We're grateful for the lenders and partner banks who continue to trust our team and the SBA 504 Loan Program to help make those opportunities possible. We're proud of what we accomplished together in 2026 and look forward to continuing in 2027.”
In addition to recognizing its lending partners, the RDC honored seven retiring board members for their years of service and contributions to the organization. Those recognized included Anthony Novak of Newby Lewis Kaminski and Jones LLP; Eric Evans of First Financial Bank; Heather Jones of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce; Keven Jennings of Purdue Federal Credit Union; Matt Saltanovitz of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Rex Richards of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce; and Steve Nicksic of Bradley Company.
As RDC celebrated the contributions of its outgoing board members, the organization also welcomed five incoming members to its board of directors: Dan Podgorski of the Village of Lansing; Drew Peuquet of Chester, Inc.; George Douglas of the City of Valparaiso; Jon DeSmet of Purdue Federal Credit Union; and Matt Rossman of Integrated Construction Solutions.
The RDC also paid special recognition to outgoing Board Chair Steve Kring of Horizon Bank for his leadership and dedication during his tenure from 2024 to 2026.
“It has been my pleasure to serve as the Board Chair over the past two years. Erica Dombey and her team do an incredible job administrating and marketing the SBA 504 program, where they have helped small businesses expand and grow their companies. The RDC has made a meaningful impact on our region, and I am confident this will continue, especially considering their intimate involvement with the Northwest Indiana Growth Fund. The new revolving loan fund will provide capital to underserved and rural communities and serve as a catalyst for economic development,” said Kring.
During the meeting, RDC's board of directors elected its slate of officers for 2027:
Chair: Nick Larson, Larson-Danielson Construction
Vice Chair: Monica Jonson, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Secretary: Rene Martin, First Merchants Bank
Treasurer: Mike Riehle, LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership
Past Chair: Steve Kring, Horizon Bank
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