February 16, 2022 Akron, OH –The Development Finance Authority of Summit County (DFA) is pleased to announce the addition of James Watkins to the position of Community Lending Officer. In this role, James will work on behalf of the Western Reserve Community Fund’s (WRCF) mission-based lending and technical assistance programs.
WRCF, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is managed by the DFA. As a CDFI certified by the U.S. Treasury, WRCF works to promote equity and expand economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities and businesses by providing financial products and services, striving to foster economic opportunity. WRCF was created to help fill the regional gap in accessing capital and provide support to disinvested areas, and is not a competitor with banks. According to Executive Director Rachel Bridenstine, “WRCF’s loan programs are experiencing exponential growth. The addition of James to our staff will enable us to better manage growth of our loan portfolio as well as better serve and build relationships with small businesses in our community.”
The Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF) supports small business, affordable housing, and non-profit organizations with flexible, low-cost financing and technical support.
In addition to WRCF’s General Loan Fund, WRCF has collaborated with community partners to spearhead initiatives like the Minority Contractor Capital Access Program (MCCAP)®, the Akron Resiliency Fund, and the Summit County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.