September 26, 2024 Stories and Data

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I strongly urge Congress to support the funding for the Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund….As a governing board member of Central States Development Partners, Inc., a national, certified Community Development Entity (CDE), I can personally attest to the measurable and lasting impact the CDFI Fund programs have on Main Street America. In my work with both Economic Growth Corporation and Central States Development Partners, I have witnessed firsthand how targeted federal investment through the CDFI Fund acts as a catalyst for private-sector growth in communities that need it most. These dollars support job-creating projects, from manufacturing, healthcare, and community facilities that increase access to vital community services needed within severely and deeply distressed communities.

-Denise Isaac, Economic Growth Corporation, Washington, DC

Mary Stoick from Sunrise Bank in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the reason my family’s business, which had been in operation for 71 years, is still thriving. We were on the verge of collapse, and being evicted from our old location at that point made it even more challenging. In a desperate attempt to save our business, I decided to take a risky gamble and enter the food truck business. We were incredibly fortunate with the outcome of that decision. While our food truck business was thriving, we faced significant difficulties in finding a lender with fair pricing. Mary informed us that unfortunately, all the allocated funds for their tax credit loan had been exhausted, and they would no longer be able to provide us with funding through that avenue. She emphasized the slim chances of success, urging me to let it go, but I refused to give up. I relentlessly pursued her for days, and finally, something gave way. There were just enough funds to allow us to continue our family legacy. We are now approaching 80 years old, and I have a son. If he chooses to follow in our footsteps, he could potentially extend our business history to 125 years. None of this would have been possible without Mary and Sunrise Bank. This is not an exaggerated or fabricated story; it’s a true account of my life. Mary stands out among many as one of the few who genuinely cares for her customers, making her a rare gem. I sincerely hope that this allocation goes through so that she can continue to do for others what she has done for me.

-Anthony M Polski, Market Bar-B-Que, Minneapolis, MN

As a consulting firm working closely with CDFIs and economic development partners across the country, SBC Small Business Consulting supports [CDFI Fund appropriations]. The clarity and continuity of these federal programs are critical for ensuring small businesses in underserved communities receive the technical assistance and capital they need to grow. We appreciate the Treasury’s commitment to supporting CDFIs and encourage swift action to maintain momentum in local economic development efforts.

-Kyle mason, SBC Consulting, Columbus, OH