Appalachian Community Capital

In a strong show of bipartisan support, Senate CDFI Caucus Co-Chairs Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Mark Warner (D-VA) lead a bipartisan letter—signed by 26 senators—urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure transparency and the timely release of FY25 CDFI Fund awards: “It’s imperative that congressionally-approved funds for the CDFI Fund are deployed strategically and in a timely manner. Delay in the obligation of funds hinders critical projects in our states and could constrain the flow of capital to businesses and consumers who need it the most.” OFN applauds Senators Crapo and Warner for their leadership, and to all the signatories for championing the communities we serve. These resources are essential to advancing economic opportunity in low-income, rural, and urban areas. Read the letter here:https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eJXVAUxc

💼 Still recovering from Hurricane Helene? We get it and we are still here!  The Mountain BizWorks Helene Business Recovery Fund has been extended another quarter. Western NC small businesses have more time to access flexible, low-interest loans to support recovery and long-term stability. 🗓️ Deadline: September 30, 2025 These funds are here to help you catch your breath, rebuild, and move forward — not just survive, but recover with purpose. If the storm set you back, it’s not too late to get support. 🔗 Learn more & apply: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ei6Hhs3v #HeleneRecovery #WNCStrong #MountainBizWorks #SmallBusinessSupport #828Resilience #DisasterRelief #WNCBusinesses #RecoverForward

Start your Friday morning with an inspiring podcast interview. Proud to see our President & CEO, Donna Gambrell, recognized by Lynette Bell and #TruistFoundation for her leadership and dedication to economic equity. Thank you for highlighting the power of inclusive leadership! Listen here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eeDCZUne

Get ready for an insightful discussion at the 2025 Executive Networking Conference! Join us on Tuesday, August 12, at 8:30 AM for our CEO Roundtable featuring Trey Rabon (NC President, AT&T) and Kendal Bowman (NC President, Duke Energy). They'll share their vision on future green initiatives, corporate efforts to reduce carbon footprints, and how they're supporting customers with green solutions. Don't miss this chance to learn about supply chain opportunities for diverse businesses and strategies for building green initiatives into disaster recovery. This is a must-attend session for small business owners and anyone looking to connect with industry leaders shaping the green economy! Register online today to secure your spot: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ev7q_6ae #ENC2025 #GreenEconomy #CEORoundtable #SustainableBusiness #Networking #NorthCarolina #Innovation Kevin J. Price Chris William Kendal Bowman Trey Rabon Institute Community Development Initiative Institute Capital Women's Business Center of North Carolina Women's Business Center of Charlotte Women's Business Center of Central Virginia South Atlantic SBTRC

Discover how local leaders are driving the green economy forward! Mark your calendars for the Mayors' Forum at the 2025 Executive Networking Conference on Tuesday, August 12, at 2:15 PM. This dynamic session will bring together mayors from across North Carolina to discuss how their municipalities are embracing and leading innovation in the green economy. Gain unique insights into local initiatives, sustainable urban development, and opportunities for collaboration. It's an invaluable opportunity to see how policy and practice are aligning to create a greener future! Register online today to secure your spot: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ev7q_6ae #ENC2025 #MayorsForum #GreenEconomy #MunicipalInnovation #SustainableCities #NorthCarolina #Leadership Kevin J. Price Lori Ann Harris Stormie Forte, JD Jacques K. Gilbert Leonardo Williams Institute Community Development Initiative Institute Capital Women's Business Center of North Carolina Women's Business Center of Charlotte South Atlantic SBTRC

Over two powerful days in Pittsburgh, we gathered with colleagues and like minds at the ACC Rural Resilience Forum to reflect, design, and mobilize around one goal: building stronger, more resilient rural communities across Appalachia. From lived experiences shared in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the Kentucky floods, to hands-on strategy sessions shaping tools and financing models, every voice in the room helped move us closer to collective, scalable action. Thank you to everyone who joined us. The work continues. 📸: Vamp Media #ACC #AppalachiaCommunityCapital #RuralResilienceForum #CDFI #Appalachia

We are seeking story ideas for the Q4 edition of WNC Business magazine, which is themed around #WomeninBusiness! This is one of our most popular issues, and we want to hear about our region’s flourishing #womanowned businesses, impactful female #entrepreneurs, women's #networking groups and #professionalchallenges, and organizations dedicated to empowering local women in business. (Must be located in the 22 westernmost counties of North Carolina!) Got a great story idea or a client that's a good fit? Drop us a line at editor@wncbusiness.com. 

📊 Recover Forward: WNC’s Resilience in Action In the face of disaster, WNC’s small businesses showed extraordinary strength. Read our 2024 Year in Review to see local entrepreneurs in action and learn how Mountain BizWorks was there to support recovery and help the region continue to dream bigger. 📅 Recovery is ongoing: Helene Loan Applications close September 30, 2025 🔗 Read the full Year in Review: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ep2XBU4P #WNCStrong #HeleneRecovery #MountainBizWorks #SmallBusinessImpact #828Entrepreneurs #YearInReview #LocalBusinessResilience #WNCRecovery #InvestInWNC

What does resilience mean for your community? Just back from two days in Pittsburgh at the Rural Resilience Forum hosted by Appalachian Community Capital with co-hosts Bridgeway Capital and Neighborhood Community Development Fund. It has been a while since I’ve participated in focused strategic planning in a facilitated group setting, and what a wonderful and productive event! This type of forum, surrounded by spectacular, dedicated, creative, engaged people, really helps build my optimism for the future. And, it was fun! One idea of hundreds embedded in 3-5 streams of proposed work: What could well funded, well-resourced rapid response teams look like, that could be deployed to communities to help organize the local & regional CDFI response to climate disasters, so every CDFI does not have to figure it all out themselves? Outside the amazing room in the Energy Innovation Center, I was really taken by these riverfront murals by Camerin Nesbit and the omnipresent pickle. Donna Gambrell Kelli Bryant Johvanna Sampson Jesse F. Opportunity Finance Network Green Bank for Rural America

Thank you to Build Healthy Places Network and Colleen Flynn for shining a light on the essential role CDFIs play in advancing health, equity, and economic opportunity in communities across the country. We’re grateful for this interview with Donna Gambrell and the work of ACC to build a more inclusive and resilient Appalachian region. Watch the full video here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eHRqWcuf Read the blog series: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/e2swyqev #CDFIs #CommunityDevelopment #HealthEquity #Leadership #Appalachia