Today’s #GOPCThread explores Community Development Financial Institutions - #CDFIs - and their unique role in connecting Ohio’s communities and businesses to critical capital and services. In the COVID era, they are more important than ever to #SustainingCommunity

#CDFIs are proven “financial first responders.” They are experienced non-profit financial lenders dedicated to supporting small businesses and non-profits and stabilizing communities. #GOPCThread

#CDFIs are chartered to lend throughout Ohio. These markets can be designed to target low-income populations, geographic investment areas, or other communities that have historically lacked access to credit. #GOPCThread

#CDFIs help stabilize Ohio communities by working with small businesses and supporting real estate development. Here are some CDFI projects from around Ohio #GOPCThread

#CDFIs like the Affordable Housing Trust ( #AHT) provide pre-acquisition, construction, and other loans on key affordable housing projects #GOPCThread

. @CinDevFund lending to private developers has been critical in the revitalization of Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine neighborhood #CDFIs #GOPCThread

Toledo’s #CDFI, @TTownLisc, finances senior housing projects, like this one developed by @NatlChurchRes #GOPCThread

#CDFIs @OCCH + #AffordableHousingTrust invested in Scholar House-Columbus, where students w/ young kids live & are supported #GOPCThread http://www.cpoimpact.org/scholarhouse.aspx

#CDFIs support small business development expansion in communities across Ohio, including the Food Fort, a kitchen incubator supported by @ECDIoh

. @AGCCapital also funds small business development and expansion in Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties #GOPCThread

#CDFI lending by Village Capital Corporation (aka @CLEProgress) helped rehab a downtown department store into @BRITEpeople, a #businessincubator

#CDFI lending supports high-tech business development in Dayton through @daytontechtown, with patient, risk-tolerant loans from @CityWideDayton #GOPCThread

#CDFIs fund healthcare facility development and delivery like this facility in Columbus’s Franklinton neighborhood operated by @LowerLightsCHC and invested in by @IFFcdfi #GOPCThread

#CDFIs have a significant impact on Ohio’s economy, with over $4.3 Billion in investments leveraged in Ohio neighborhoods in 79 counties across Ohio since 2005 #GOPCThread

#CDFIs are bringing their experience to bear to help Ohio weather the storm of COVID-19, offering PPP lending & technical assistance, forbearance to borrowers, and partnering w/ neighborhood groups to administer funds for small business rescues initiatives https://bit.ly/39zqfH0 

To learn more about the #CDFIs in Ohio, check out the Ohio CDFI Network website #GOPCThread https://www.ohiocdfis.org/