Rise Business Funding

Construction Loans in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is home to a thriving construction sector driven by commercial development along the Mississippi riverfront, ongoing residential expansion in Shelby County, and major infrastructure investment across the Mid-South region. Rise Business Funding connects local contractors and builders with fast, flexible financing to keep projects moving forward.

$5K to $5M

Funding range available to Memphis construction businesses

Decisions in 24 Hours

Fast funding decisions so your projects stay on schedule

Memphis, TN Focused

Serving contractors and builders across the greater Memphis area

About Construction Loans in Memphis

Most Memphis construction contractors carry 60 to 90 days of unpaid invoices at any given time. A subcontractor finishing framing on a mixed-use project near the South Main Arts District submits a draw request, then waits. Payroll is due Friday. Material suppliers want payment before the next delivery. That gap between work completed and payment received is where construction businesses stall, and it is exactly the problem construction business loans from Rise Business Funding are structured to close.

Memphis is in an active building cycle. The Memphis MSA's Gross Regional Product surpassed $102.9 billion in 2023, a 5.8% year-over-year gain, and that growth is pushing commercial, industrial, and residential development across the metro. The logistics corridor around Memphis International Airport, the busiest cargo airport in North America with 3.8 million metric tons handled in 2024, continues to attract warehouse and distribution construction that keeps general contractors and specialty trades fully committed. Transportation and material moving already account for 17.6% of local employment, and every new distribution facility in North Memphis requires site prep, structural work, and buildout. Retail trade operators expanding along the Poplar Avenue Corridor need tenant improvement contractors. Automotive parts suppliers serving the Nissan assembly plant in Smyrna need facility upgrades. The demand for construction services across Tennessee is real, and the funding gap between mobilization and final payment is equally real. Invoice factoring converts your outstanding draw requests into immediate working capital without waiting on a general contractor's payment cycle.

For larger capital needs, including equipment purchases, fleet expansion, or bonding requirements, Rise Business Funding structures equipment financing and long-term business loans around your project pipeline rather than your last two years of tax returns. Tennessee's Tennessee Works Tax Reform Act of 2023 raised the gross-receipts filing threshold and extended tax credit carryforward periods, which means your balance sheet may look stronger than it did two years ago. A business line of credit keeps you ready to mobilize on the next contract the day it is awarded.

Financing Options in Memphis

Every product Rise Business Funding offers is available to Memphis construction businesses. Choose the structure that fits how you want to access and repay capital.

Equipment Financing

Finance excavators, cranes, dump trucks, and other construction equipment without tying up working capital. Equipment financing allows Memphis contractors to acquire or upgrade machinery with structured repayment aligned to project revenue. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $5,000,000.

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Business Line of Credit

A revolving line of credit gives Memphis construction businesses flexible access to funds for payroll, subcontractor payments, and materials between billing cycles. Draw only what you need and repay as project payments come in. Ideal for managing seasonal cash flow gaps.

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SBA Loans

SBA loan programs offer competitive rates and longer repayment terms for established Memphis construction firms pursuing major contracts or capital investments. Lenders in our network can guide you through SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 options suited to construction businesses.

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Short-Term Business Loans

Short-term loans provide a fast lump sum to cover immediate project expenses, material purchases, or crew costs. Memphis contractors can access funding quickly with minimal paperwork, making this a practical solution for time-sensitive opportunities.

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Merchant Cash Advance

A merchant cash advance delivers upfront capital in exchange for a percentage of future business revenue. This option suits Memphis construction companies with consistent revenue but limited collateral, providing fast access to working capital without fixed monthly payments.

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Invoice Factoring

Construction companies with outstanding invoices from completed work can convert those receivables into immediate cash through invoice factoring. Memphis builders waiting on owner or general contractor payments can use factoring to bridge cash flow gaps and keep operations running.

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Requirements to Qualify

Memphis construction businesses typically meet the following thresholds. Even if you fall short on one factor, Rise Business Funding evaluates your full financial picture.

Minimum Credit Score

FICO 600+

Most lenders in our network look for a personal FICO score of 600 or higher. Memphis construction business owners with scores below this threshold may still have options, particularly if revenue and time in business are strong.

Monthly Revenue

$25,000+

Lenders typically require at least $25,000 in monthly gross revenue. For Memphis contractors, this reflects consistent project billing and helps lenders assess your ability to manage repayment alongside active job site costs.

Time in Business

6+ Months

Your construction business should have at least six months of operating history. Established Memphis contractors with longer track records generally qualify for larger funding amounts and more favorable repayment terms.

Business Bank Account

Required

A dedicated business checking account is required by lenders in our network. This account is used to verify revenue, process loan disbursements, and manage repayments for your Memphis construction company.

How It Works in Memphis

1

Submit Your Application

Complete our streamlined online application in minutes. Provide basic information about your Memphis construction business, your monthly revenue, and the type of financing you need. No lengthy paperwork upfront.

2

Receive a Funding Decision

Lenders in our network review your application and return decisions within 24 hours in most cases. Rise Business Funding presents you with matched offers so you can compare terms and choose the best fit for your project needs.

3

Access Your Funds

Once you accept an offer and complete the lender's verification process, funds are deposited directly into your business bank account. Many Memphis construction businesses receive funding within one to three business days of approval.

Why Memphis Construction Business Owners Choose Rise Business Funding

  • Broad Lender Network

    Rise Business Funding works with a wide network of vetted lenders to match Memphis construction businesses with competitive financing options, from equipment loans to lines of credit.

  • Fast Turnaround

    Construction timelines do not wait. We prioritize fast decisions so Memphis contractors can respond to project opportunities, purchase materials, and pay crews without costly delays.

  • Industry-Aware Matching

    We understand construction cash flow cycles, including retainage, milestone billing, and seasonal slowdowns. Our matching process accounts for the realities Memphis contractors face on the job.

  • Transparent Process

    Rise Business Funding presents clear offer terms with no hidden fees or surprises. Compare your options and move forward with confidence knowing exactly what you are agreeing to.

How Construction Businesses in Memphis Use Their Capital

The reasons construction operators in Memphis most often borrow. Every use case below is fundable through one or more of the products Rise Business Funding offers.

Equipment Purchases and Upgrades

Memphis contractors use construction financing to purchase or upgrade heavy equipment such as excavators, backhoes, and concrete mixers, keeping job sites productive without depleting operating cash.

Material and Supply Procurement

Covering the upfront cost of lumber, steel, concrete, and other materials before project payment arrives is one of the most common uses of construction loans in Memphis, Tennessee.

Payroll and Subcontractor Payments

Keeping crews paid on schedule is critical to project completion and worker retention. Memphis construction businesses use short-term financing and lines of credit to bridge payroll gaps between billing milestones.

Bidding and Project Mobilization

Winning a new commercial or residential contract in the Memphis market often requires immediate mobilization costs. Financing helps contractors cover bonding, permitting, and early site work before the first draw arrives.

Cash Flow During Retainage Periods

Retainage withheld by general contractors and project owners can strain cash flow for months. Memphis subcontractors and specialty trades use revolving credit and invoice factoring to stay liquid through project closeout.

Fleet and Vehicle Maintenance

Construction fleets require ongoing maintenance and occasional emergency repairs. Memphis contractors access working capital financing to address vehicle and equipment breakdowns quickly and keep projects on schedule.

Business Development and Marketing

Growing a construction company in a competitive Memphis market requires investment in bids, proposals, and marketing. Business loans support outreach efforts that help contractors land larger commercial and public-sector contracts.

Tennessee-Specific Resources

Memphis construction businesses have access to several public and mission-driven financing resources worth knowing before you close a funding gap with private capital alone. Pathway Lending, the only CDFI endorsed by the Tennessee Bankers Association, offers term loans and commercial real estate financing averaging $202,000, with priority for veteran- and minority-owned contractors. LiftFund operates a Tennessee-specific lending portal with SBA Community Advantage loans up to $350,000 for businesses that fall outside conventional bank criteria. Hope Credit Union provides small business loans with a documented focus on economically distressed areas, including parts of Memphis. These programs complement, rather than replace, the faster and more flexible funding Rise Business Funding provides through products like invoice factoring and equipment financing, and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center can help you package applications for any of them.

Fund Tennessee

Tennessee's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI 2.0) program, administering $117 million in federal funding statewide through three components: LendTN (a $47 million debt program delivered via Treasury-certified CDFIs across all 95 counties), InvestTN (equity investments into Tennessee-located startups at the pre-seed and seed stages), and AssistTN (technical assistance to help SEDI-owned and very small businesses become capital-ready). At least 58% of loaned dollars must serve socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

fundtennessee.org

Pathway Lending

Nashville-based, U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI and the only CDFI endorsed by the Tennessee Bankers Association, offering small business term loans, lines of credit, equipment and commercial real estate financing starting at $5,000 (average small business loan size of $202,000 in 2024), with a focus on veteran-, women-, minority-, rural, and low-to-moderate-income borrowers across all regions of Tennessee. Pathway is a participating lender in the LendTN program under Fund Tennessee and has delivered more than $587 million in direct lending over 25 years.

pathwaylending.org

LiftFund

Treasury-certified nonprofit CDFI operating a Tennessee-specific lending portal, offering SBA Community Advantage loans (up to $350,000, 7 to 10 year terms) and microloans to small businesses in Tennessee that do not qualify for traditional bank financing, with particular emphasis on underserved entrepreneurs including minorities, women, and veterans. LiftFund has deployed nearly $1 billion in funding to more than 28,000 business owners across 13 states, with Tennessee as a primary service market.

tennessee.liftfund.com

SBA Tennessee District Office

The U.S. Small Business Administration's single district office for Tennessee, located in Nashville, serves all 95 counties of the state and delivers SBA 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans through more than 120 approved lending partners, which collectively approved over $670 million in SBA-backed loans for Tennessee businesses in Fiscal Year 2025. The office also provides counseling referrals, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery assistance.

sba.gov

Hope Credit Union

Treasury-certified CDFI credit union serving the Deep South including Tennessee, providing small business loans up to $250,000 and commercial loans above that threshold, with 64% of small business loans historically going to Black-owned businesses and 74% made in economically distressed regions. HOPE also administers the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund, which explicitly covers Tennessee, and offers start-up loans, business real estate lending, and SBA-sponsored financing for businesses in underserved areas.

hopecu.org

Tennessee Small Business Development Center

Statewide network of Small Business Development Centers hosted by Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and accredited by the National Association of Small Business Development Centers, providing free, confidential consulting on business planning, financial projections, loan packaging, and market research to Tennessee entrepreneurs at every stage. The TSBDC also serves as the designated technical assistance partner for the AssistTN component of Fund Tennessee (SSBCI).

tsbdc.org

Frequently Asked Questions

About Construction Funding in Memphis

To qualify for construction loans in Memphis, Tennessee through Rise Business Funding's lender network, your business generally needs a personal FICO score of 600 or higher, at least $25,000 in monthly gross revenue, six or more months of operating history, and an active business bank account. Stronger revenue and longer operating history typically improve your funding options and terms. Some lenders also consider your project pipeline and active contracts when evaluating applications from Memphis contractors.

Get a Construction Loan Today

Apply in under 5 minutes. No credit impact. Funding decisions in 24 hours.