$1,400,000 Refinance in Santa Paula, CA
How an Industrial Refinance Saved a Century-Old Farming Cooperative in Santa Paula
Loan Amount: $1,400,000
Loan Term: 24 Months
LTV: Under 50%
Lien Position: 1st Deed of Trust
When an established cooperative found themselves in an unexpected bind, they turned to bridge financing to keep their century-long legacy alive. This recent $1.4 million industrial refinance in Santa Paula, California tells the story of how the right lending partner can make all the difference when time is of the essence.
The Opportunity: Providing Strategic Bridge Financing
When a 100-year-old cooperative unexpectedly had multiple loans come due, they needed a solution that would give them time and flexibility. With a potential sale on the horizon, what they required was a bridge, a way to provide the time necessary to execute their plans thoughtfully and strategically.
That’s where Rubicon Mortgage Fund, LLC stepped in. We provided a 2-year bridge loan that gave the borrowers the breathing room they needed to navigate their transition properly. Sometimes timing is everything in real estate, and having the right financing partner can make all the difference.
Innovation in Pest Management
What makes this story particularly compelling is the borrower’s mission. This cooperative has been serving the farming community for over 100 years. Born from experience as avocado and citrus farmers themselves, the founders understood firsthand the challenges and health concerns associated with traditional pesticides.
Rather than accept these risks as unavoidable, they pioneered a natural, organic alternative. As both farmers and innovators, they developed safe pest management solutions that protect both crops and people. Today, their cooperative serves as a vital resource for farmers looking to move away from conventional pesticides without sacrificing crop protection.
The Property: A Major Industrial Asset
The facility itself reflects the scope of their operation. Situated on 4.63 acres in Santa Paula, the property includes about 50,000 square feet of industrial buildings, substantial infrastructure that supports their manufacturing and distribution operations. Santa Paula’s location in Ventura County has long made it ideal for businesses serving the agricultural sector, and the area continues to grow and evolve.
The Industrial Refinance Solution
This is where the industrial refinance became the critical tool. Rubicon Mortgage Fund, LLC stepped in to provide bridge financing that accomplished several key objectives:
We paid off both the existing first and second liens, consolidating the borrowers’ debt and eliminating the immediate pressure from their previous lender. More importantly, we provided them with the time they needed. Sometimes the most valuable thing a lender can offer isn’t just capital, it’s flexibility and patience while borrowers navigate complex transitions.
The loan came to us through a referral, which speaks to the importance of building trust and maintaining strong relationships in the lending community. When professionals know they can count on you to close deals efficiently and work collaboratively with borrowers, they remember that when their clients need help.
Why Refinance Matters
Industrial businesses face unique challenges that conventional lenders don’t always understand. Properties are often specialized with specific infrastructure needs. Operations can have seasonal fluctuations. And sometimes, well-intentioned business decisions, like the decision to lease rather than operate, can have unintended consequences with existing financing.
Industrial refinance loans provide the flexibility that manufacturing and production operations need. Whether it’s consolidating debt, buying out partners, funding improvements, or simply bridging a gap during a transition, the right financing structure can preserve value and protect legacies that have been built over generations.
The Power of Specialized Lending
What made this industrial refinance work was understanding the nuances of the situation. This wasn’t just about running numbers on a spreadsheet. It required appreciating what the borrowers had built over a century, recognizing that their temporary challenge didn’t reflect the fundamental strength of their business, and structuring financing that gave them room to complete their sale process properly.
Industrial properties often require lenders who understand the unique nature of manufacturing and production facilities. A 50,000 square foot industrial complex on nearly five acres isn’t a cookie-cutter asset. It takes experience to evaluate these properties accurately and confidence to move quickly when borrowers need fast closings.
Looking Forward
Santa Paula continues to evolve as a hub for businesses serving the agricultural sector, and operations like this cooperative are part of what makes the region special. By providing smart bridge financing, we helped ensure that a hundred-year legacy of innovation can continue serving farmers who want safer, more sustainable pest management solutions.
If your industrial business is facing a refinancing challenge, whether it’s an unexpected loan coming due, a pending sale that needs more time, or a growth opportunity that requires quick action, specialized industrial refinance options may be the answer. The key is working with a lender who understands the unique nature of industrial properties and operations, and who can move quickly when timing matters.
Every industrial operation has a story. This one just happened to need a bridge to the next chapter.
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