The Progress Fund

04/01/2026

Our long-term vision to have a third brewer at the Hazelwood Brew House has finally come to be. Abjuration Brewing, opens this Friday, a really Good Friday for Hazelwood, Abjuration Brewing, and The Progress Fund. Abjuration Brewing, which started out in McKees Rocks is opening its second location.....

02/12/2026

Was Phil wrong? February 12, 2026 Was that sunny day on February 2, extraordinary and unusual? Was Phil’s prediction blinded by one sunny day? We hope so. Time to get moving. We know a post-hibernation cure for your now. Cenci’s Pizza & Bar. We recently funded their 3rd location, which will open...

02/02/2026

Phil saw his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Not surprising by just looking outside in Pennsylvania. Maybe he doesn’t mind 6 more weeks because last year we provided the financing to build a nice new, cozy house for him and his family. Then we made a second loan for a parking lot […...

09/22/2025

"International House of French Toast" - French toast from a Greek family...is it the heresy or the best of both worlds? The opinion is it's the best. Central Diner & Grille

07/09/2025

These kids have a lot to learn. Young Scholars of Greater Allegheny Charter School

Young Scholars is in a growth spurt. In 2015, the charter school first opened in a building rented from the St. Nicholas Byzantine Church in McKeesport, outside of Pittsburgh. They served grades K-5. In the 2017-18 school year they added a 6th grade and soon after 7th and 8th grades. In 2021, they r...

06/11/2025

Come celebrate with us!

As the nonprofit developer of the Hazelwood Brew House project, we could not be prouder of New France Brewing Co. and Abstract Realm Brewing Co. for reaching their first year in business milestone. Thursday, June 12, 2025New France Brewing Company celebrates its first-year birthday this Thursday. A....

06/05/2025

Your workout was great...the reward is even better.

June 7 is National Trails Day®. Use the celebration to your advantage. It’s a great excuse to get outside and use the trails you love. And don’t forget the best part of the day…the reward. Before, after, or even both, reward yourself with the necessary grub or thirst-quenching beverage your a...

05/06/2025

Women-owned business and now the building too!

Meghan Pohl and Jessica Brewster are two women with one dream, to live a life growing, creating and eating. They share the dream through their business in Saxonburg named “Batch” which offers homegrown and handmade foods and gifts. Their handmade jams, jellies and whatever else are fresh and bur...

04/08/2025

"When one door closes, another opens."

Quiz: Do you recognize this building? Hint: It’s located in an old mill-town along the Allegheny River, which is now a favorite destination of craft beer fans. Answer: It’s the old PNC Bank Branch in Millvalle, which is now the newest and fourth location of Burghers Brewing and their “best dam...

02/27/2025

TikTok stories last only 24 hours, our stories last 24 years and longer.

The Progress Fund made its first loan in 1998. That very first borrower stayed a borrower of The Progress Fund until 2024 when they sold their successful business and started a new chapter in life. Along the way, we also provided them five more loans to grow their enterprise. The point is, we were t...

02/20/2025

The boss is a pilot. Good pilots always fly with a checklist. This loan fits our checklist.
✔ West Virginia
✔ Airplanes make great Tourism
✔ New River Gorge is a popular destination
✔ Purchase of existing successful business
Wild Blue Adventure Company

Bill Chouinard says, “It’s amazing what a good business plan and a good relationship with a lender can allow you to do.” We couldn’t agree more. With funding from The Progress Fund, Bill purchased Wild Blue Adventure, a flight-seeing business at the New River Gorge in West Virginia. And then...