On Tuesday, April 30, we will have a great discussion on Financing Food Systems with Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs). Panelists will discuss how RLFs can be used to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and microenterprises to strengthen local and regional food systems. The discussion will also identify how these tools can help unlock affordable capital for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Now is the time to learn how to provide access to capital for small food and agriculture businesses!

Lone Star PACE, a leading administrator of Texas' property assessed clean energy program, announced it facilitated an $11.3 million C-PACE loan for a 17-story, dual-branded hotel planned for Downtown Houston. Lone Star PACE worked with the project's sponsor, Neway Hospitality, an experienced hotel developer, owner, and operator with a deep track record in the Houston market, to secure the loan.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with the Reinvestment Fund to help organizations strengthen local food financing programs and improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities across the country. Through funding made available primarily by President Biden's American Rescue Plan, Reinvestment Fund has selected 16 public-private partnerships to receive $40.3 million in grants under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Local & Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program to expand access to nutritious and affordable foods in 20 states and Washington, D.C.

Kentucky signed House Bill 712, establishing the Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreation Authority (KORRA). When the law takes effect, counties east to west will have a chance to join the new agency authorized to build recreation and economic development opportunities along the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.

The Local Government Commission approved the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency's request for $750 million in revenue bonds to address the nearly 200,000-home gap of affordable rental housing across the state. The agency is using the approved bond money to finance its NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program. This program provides a $15,000 down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and military veterans.

Philanthropic giving emerges as a powerful tool not only to support these local enterprises but also to cultivate resilience within the community at large. Recognizing the challenges faced by women, immigrant, and BIPOC business owners in obtaining working capital, Wurwand Foundation granted funds to Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) to be deployed as revolving loan capital to small business owners in Southern California.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved the creation of the New Jersey Green Bank (NJGB), which will make investments in the clean energy sector that will help advance the state's efforts to make an equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy. The NJGB will make investments through debt, credit enhancements, and other financial vehicles to attract private capital to enable the state to reach its climate goals.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced a $2 million commitment to City First Enterprises through the Neighborhood BusinessWorks Loan to Lender program. The funds will support small business lending in communities within the Baltimore-Washington metro area. The program is part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), through which Maryland is deploying up to $198 million in federal relief.

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