"I came into CAMEO's sessions very green and left with ideas that have already transformed how our organization thinks. The engagement with peers, instructors, and experts is organic and honest, and I left feeling confident and reinvigorated." -Joseph Marlitt, Bridgeway Capital REGISTER here.

Message from Donna

As ACC and its members settle into the new year, we remain focused on our mission as we tackle a number of top priorities:

● Ensuring that the 13-state Appalachian Region and rural communities across the country are poised for significant investment to strengthen local economies and create long-term economic stability. To date, community lenders have requested from the Green Bank for Rural America an unprecedented $240 million in funding in the first months after the Green Bank opened applications.

● Working with local CDFIs and major partners to provide grants to small businesses in western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.

● Providing critical technical assistance and seeking financing for development and redevelopment projects in Central Appalachia under Opportunity Appalachia.

These are just a few examples of the extraordinary efforts underway. We look forward to hearing from you--our readers--about how you're working hand in hand with community leaders to support opportunities and growth in the region!

Discover Appalachian Impact – A New Podcast Powered by ACC

We’re excited to share Appalachian Impact, a weekly podcast highlighting the vital role of CDFIs in driving innovation and opportunity across the region. The first episodes feature fascinating interviews with the people behind the Green Bank for Rural America RapidStart Team, Locus, Mountain BizWorks, and the Western Women's Business Center. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Simplecast.

Strategic Management Framework Training - Virginia CDFIs Attend Free

Thanks to support from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, ACC is partnering with CAMEO’s National CDFI Academy to offer the latest installment of their Strategic Management Framework course. The four-part series covers topics such as goal setting, multi-year financial projections, and developing annual operating plans, and will be held in late March-early April. Virginia CDFIs attend free of charge, and organizations can register up to 10 staff or board members. Register here!

ACC Names Daniel Wallace as President & CEO of the Green Bank for Rural America

We’re thrilled to welcome Daniel to the Green Bank team! He brings his expertise from Coastal Enterprises, Inc., where he expanded access to capital for underserved communities and grew CEI’s loan portfolio to a record $78 million. His dedication to rural prosperity and economic resilience will be instrumental in driving transformative investments across Appalachia. 

Goldman Sachs Invests in ACC and Regional Small Businesses

Goldman Sachs has announced that, through a partnership with ACC,it has committed $5 million in lending capital to CDFIs driving small business growth and economic opportunities in underserved communities in Appalachia. This commitment will include $1 million in lending capital directly to ACC member Partner Community Capital. 

ACC and the Green Bank for Rural America are Hiring!

Click here for open positions.

Going forward, we’ll be reaching out to ACC members to gather any big news and announcements you’d like to share with the network. Keep an eye out for emails requesting this information from ACC consultant Megan McConville!

The 10 Years of Rural Insights Expert Webinar on February 26 at 12:30 pm Eastern will feature a decade of invaluable rural insights from SaveYour.Town. REGISTER here

USDA’s Rural Business Development Grants are primarily used to finance and develop businesses in rural areas, with up to 10 percent of the total program funding set aside for broader community economic development projects. Application deadline: February 28. APPLY here.

ARC’s READY Nonprofits program provides no-cost training to help participants strengthen operations, programming, and fundraising to better fulfill their missions and sustain their organizations over time. Application deadline: February 28. APPLY here.

Forbes: 7 Experts Predict Small Business Trends for 2025. READ more.