The ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony Nov. 7 at Sato Salon Organics, South Whitehall Township, was a big moment for the Whitehall Community and the Lehigh & Northampton Counties Revolving loan funds.

Both entities joined owner Allison Holub in celebrating the occasion.

The opening of the state-of-the art salon which specializes in organic and environmentally safe hair care lines, was made possible by funding from the Whitehall Community Loan Fund, which provided $25,000, and the Lehigh & Northampton Counties Revolving Loan Fund, which provided another $25,000.

"This represents the first loan for the Whitehall Community Loan Fund," said Howard Lieberman, executive director of the loan fund. Lieberman also heads the Whitehall Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority.

Holub, a state licensed stylist for 14 years, has worked at shops in the Lehigh Valley, most recently at The Salon, Allentown, as shop manager and trainer.

Located at 3136 Hamilton Blvd., across from the former King George Inn, Sato Salon has 10 employees, Holub said.

The full-service salon does everything from hair cutting and styling to nails, makeup and facials, with organic materials at the core. Holub said Sato Salon uses eco-friendly product lines.

The salon soft colors and furnishings are in harmony with the environment, which incorporates recycled materials.

Lieberman noted the revolving loan fund provides money to new and existing businesses that find it difficult to secure conventional bank funding.

Both funds provide the funding at conventional interest rates, but are less sensitive to credit issues and collateral shortfalls, Lieberman said.