The JARI Growth Fund is a certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) which was formed in May 2016. The Mission of JGF is to develop the skills and provide capital to individuals, businesses and organizations in the Southern Alleghenies region to support the growth of a diverse economy and build vibrant communities, enhance the quality of life for residents of the region, improve housing, and otherwise address the needs of low to moderate income residents of disadvantaged, poor and minority communities within the region.
JGF will accomplish its mission in part by providing loans to low-to-moderate-income individuals, minorities, woman-owned entities, and people with disabilities throughout the Southern Alleghenies Region or project sites and businesses in the Target Market Area geography. There are many areas within Cambria County which qualify as the Target Market Area.
JGF loan funds are targeted to small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana and Somerset County. Loans can range in size from $1,500 to $100,000 with no equity requirement. Loans can be used to fund: initial start-up costs, inventory/equipment, building acquisition, renovation, lease space, working capital, etc.
For more information about the program, contact Michele Clapper at 814.262.8368 or mclapper@jari.com.
This institution, JARI Growth Fund, is an equal opportunity employer and lender.
What is a Certified CDFI?
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are private financial institutions that are dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable lending to help low-income, low-wealth and other disadvantaged people and communities join the economic mainstream.
By financing community businesses — including small businesses, micro-enterprises, non-profit organizations and commercial real estate — CDFIs spark job growth and retention in hard-to-serve markets across the nation.