Tennessee Facts and Stories

Videos

Loading Videos...

Fact Sheet

Download PDF tennessee

Tennessee Stories

$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.

A New Home Brings a Family Closer

Nashville,
Tennessee

Affordable Housing Resources

Affordable Housing Resources borrower success story

Bradley’s – Impact in Action

Knoxville,
Tennessee

Pathway Lending

Before diving into the confectionary world, Joy and Brad Hamlett had different career aspirations—Brad dreamed of law, while Joy thrived as a local gift shop merchandiser. When Brad opened his first chocolate store in 1995, little did they know it would lead to both business success and a blossoming relationship between the two. Their partnership kickstarted Bradley’s Gift & Home, now a cherished spot in Knoxville.

Brushy Mountain

Petros,
Tennessee

Three Roots Capital

3Roots directly financed several parts of the Brushy Mountain Prison Tourism project: the distillery, restaurant, gift shop, and concert events. 3Roots leveraged our relationship with a bank partner to ultimately provide a loan to complete initial renovations to open for business.

CDFI Keeps Local Tennessee Plant Operating

Sneedville,
Tennessee

Pathway Lending

Pathway Lending borrower success story

Citizens Bank & Trust: The Institution School of Cosmetology

Memphis,
Tennessee

Citizens Bank & Trust

With the help of Citizens Bank & Trust, an entrepreneur's school of cosmetology and barbery has grown into a thriving business in Memphis, Tennessee.

Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company

Nashville,
Tennessee

Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company

The oldest operating Minority Bank in the US makes a difference in Tennessee.

Cookeville Rescue Mission

Cookeville,
Tennessee

Tennessee Rural Development Fund

Tennessee Rural Development Fund is blessed to partner with the Cookeville Rescue Mission. The Cookeville Rescue Mission was founded in 1976 and is the oldest and largest rescue mission in the Upper Cumberland. The rescue mission’s purpose is to serve homeless and needy people through a program of spiritual, physical, material, and emotional assistance coupled with education and public awareness.

Cooper Steel gets key financing

Shelbyville,
Tennessee

Arkansas Capital Corporation, Pathway Lending

Once fully operational in May of 2025, the steel company is projected to create/retain 333 permanent, full-time jobs and induce an estimated $18.5 million of additional earnings throughout the region, catalyzing further growth for Shelbyville, TN.

Court Square Center

Memphis,
Tennessee

Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Grow America Fund

Court Square Center involved the renovation of two historically-significant buildings and the construction of the green, LEED gold certified “Court Annex 2” building to create an urban center that offers 74 live/work units, 40,500 sq. ft. of commercial space and 44 on-site parking spaces. The project has served to reduce blight, spur local investment and improve conditions in the central business district. Commercial tenants include the Plough Foundation, The New Consortium of Law and Business, Servicemasters and a law office. The New Consortium of Law and Business is a charter school for students who test at high-levels in math and business.

Crescent Sock Company

Niota,
Tennessee

Pathway Lending

For 122 years, Crescent Sock Company has been a cornerstone of Niota, Tennessee, providing jobs and quality products to its community and beyond. Founded to uplift its small-town roots, it is now led by Cathy Allen, a fourth-generation owner. Her sister, Sandra Boyd, is also a part of Crescent’s dedicated team of over 100 employees.

Dr. Tonya Lyons

Memphis,
Tennessee

Southern Bancorp Bank

Southern Bank Borrower Stories