As the Chair of the Board I see the positive impacts of our lending and business advising daily. Our work is integral to the health and vibrancy of our local community. Our support of emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to grow fills an existing gap in the private sector and provides accessible options for many businesses.
CDFIs benefit communities like Syracuse, which have experienced economic decline due to the withdrawal of large employers (like Carrier, GE, etc.) but are also seeing revitalization.
CDFIs can provide financial tools tailored to the needs of their communities. As a non-profit CDFI serving low-income rural communities, this is very valuable.