3,192 loans and investments totaling $661.8 million in the district in 2022
Stories from the District
$1 million on the street:’ With UofM grant, River City Capital helps businesses in underserved areas
Memphis,
Tennessee
River City Capital Investment Corporation
Franklin is one of many Memphis business owners who have received a loan from RCC, the local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that’s an affiliate of Community Lift and certified by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Founded in 2011, RCC focuses on providing low-interest loans to businesses in underserved neighborhoods throughout the Mid-South — its average loan size is about $50,000. And the organization has made some recent moves to further fuel its growth.
Jackson Schools/Healthy Community Education Partners
Jackson,
Tennessee
CAHEC Capital
Renovation and reopening of a school built in 1957 that closed in 2016 due to underperformance and poor condition. JCM will serve 800 students with 93% minorities and 90% are expected to be low-income. Students will have access to two district programs focusing on career training and work experience as well as the opportunity to earn an AA while in high school.
Ron Brooks: Uplifting Local Businesses with River City Capital
Memphis,
Tennessee
River City Capital Investment Corporation
As River City Capital’s President, Ron Brooks is passionate about maximizing the potential of all community members by providing sustainable access to resources. On Just Bluffin’, we talked about River City Capital’s work, Ron’s professional journey, and the impact of investing in community development.
After nearly three decades as a manager at a staffing agency, Erika Winfrey decided in October 2024 to take a bold step toward entrepreneurship by launching her own business, SkillUp Workforce, in Memphis, Tennessee. Winfrey’s extensive experience in staffing — helping to place temporary workers, temp-to-hire employees, and direct hires — opened her eyes to the gaps in the workforce. This realization became the driving force behind SkillUp, a business dedicated to career and business consulting.
West Tennessee Small Business Expands Operations with Support from Pathway
Brownsville,
Tennessee
Pathway Lending
At just 21 years old David Blurton drove a truck with one door to Brownsville, Tennessee to start his business. Just over 47 years later, Southern Industrial Mechanical Maintenance Company II, LLC (SIMMCO) is on track to expand its team and production to meet the demand of many major projects headed their way.
