There may be some interesting and unusual solutions in your area, including a "small business incubator" that your city is hosting. A number of contacts that the Chamber has will also know exactly how to get loans (because they'll have done it.)

You may have a harder time getting money through the SBA because it's a Canadian business and it's a franchise.

Also, check to see if there's a chapter of S.C.O.R.E. there (the Chamber would know). And do check to see if your city has an "Economic Development Department." Oftentimes, this department and the Chamber get into turf wars -- both have valuable information, but they don't share with each other, so you have to go to BOTH entities to get information.