CDFI funds are frequently the only source of funding and lending available to small, scaled community-oriented development in Minneapolis. Without access to those opportunities companies like mine would not be able to accomplish our development goals and create mid-scale projects related to the arts and market rate affordable housing.
CDFIs have been a vital role in our community by providing low-cost capital to businesses. Capital is not readily available in the rural area I live, so it’s imperative that CDFIs continue to receive funding that helps support small businesses and continue to grow small communities.
CDFIs provide a critical service to low-income entrepreneurs who are generally excluded from traditional financing to receive business training services and access to affordable capital to help them start their own microenterprises and thus improve their family’s and community’s economic stability.