Fulton Banks on Community First

Spring/Summer 2010
www.commfirstfund.org
Fulton Banks on Community First
Investment Announced at Expressly Local Foods
F
ebruary
Fund
3 2010: Community First
announced
Fulton
M
Bank’s
$500,000 investment in its loan fund
From left to right: Craig Roda, Chairman & CEO,
Fulton Bank; Kharran Cattell; Joan Brodhead,
Community First Fund Senior Vice President and
COO; Lancaster City Mayor Rick Gray; Cheryl Young.
Cattell and Young are also big proponents
Fulton Bank’s investment supports lending
of buying locally. The business is all about
for Community First’s small cities strategy, a
“local food for local folks,” and focuses on
four-pronged approach to revitalizing cities
providing natural, locally grown and made
and boroughs in central Pennsylvania. For
products year round. Cattell and Young play
example, in Lancaster, Community First
a significant role in sustaining local business
Fund lent money to Gene Aleci, President of
by using as many suppliers as possible from
Community Heritage Partners so that he could
Lancaster County.
purchase the building that houses Expressly
Community First Fund is honored to have
Local Foods, his own firm and some other
partners like Fulton who have shown long-
small busineses. Aleci also purchased the
term support of the organization. Fulton Bank
building next door to make a bold, positive
has a long-standing tradition of aiding to the
impact on a city block which has been in a
growth and development of south central
transitional stage for some time.
Pennsylvania since 1882 and Community
Aleci is actively looking for tenants to fill
at
Community First
owner of Martin Insurance Agency. She spoke
on the importance of “Networking to Build your
Business.”
Nearly thirty attendees, most of
whom were women entrepreneurs from all over
Lancaster County, discussed how networking has
impacted their business and personal lives.
Liz Martin focused on how networking can be
intimidating but offered tips and hints to get
comfortable with the process. She presented
talking points that have helped her in networking
situations. The audience was then broken up
into smaller groups to discuss what networking
meant to them. An open discussion then
followed as people shared their experiences with
the entire group. More information about the
Speaker Series can be found on page six.
First since 1992.
the entirety of his buildings. Local ownership
To see pictures and a video from the
of city properties and fully utilized buildings,
press conference, visit Community First’s
especially the upper floors, are integral parts
web site at www.commfirstfund.org and click
of the small cities strategy. In order to sustain
on the New & Media tab and then the Events
and grow businesses, enough people need to
& Photo Gallery page. Further information
be living and working in a city to support those
about Community Heritage Partners and
businesses. Money spent locally strengthens
Expressly Local Foods can be found on
the local economy.
the Client Chronicles page of the web site.
Inside this issue...
Center
office, featured entrepreneur Liz Martin, the
West King Street in Lancaster city and is a
cutting by Mayor Rick Gray.
iness
The event, held at Community First’s Lancaster
Young. Expressly Local Foods is located on
grand opening celebration with a ribbon
5, 2010: The Women’s Bus-
speaker series on the First Friday in March.
market owned by Kharran Cattell and Cheryl
event also served as the business’s official
arch
Fund premiered its new initiative, a bimonthly
at Expressly Local Food, a natural foods
Community First Fund loan customer. The
Women’s Business Center’s
Inaugural Entrepreneurial Speaker Series
Spring/Summer Training Schedule
Entrepreneurial Speaker Series
Liz Martin, owner of Martin Insurance Agency.
More Than $2.8 Million in Loans
from the desk of t h e president & C E O
DONOR LISTINGS
Dear Friends of the Fund:
I
July 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010
Banks: Bank of America • Citizens Bank •
T has been almost 18 months since our
last
Fulton Bank • M&T Charitable Foundation •
Community Works newsletter was
National Penn Bank • PNC Bank • Susquehanna
published. We opted for this break to focus
Bank • Sovereign Bank • Wachovia Regional
on our electronic newsletter which premiered
Foundation.
in February 2009. If you have not had a
Corporations
chance to view one of these e-newsletters,
see page four for more details.
Non
Profits:
Austin
Development Company of Lancaster County •
Daniel Betancourt, President and
Chief Executive Officer
We are all aware of the significant
Meeder Development Corporation • McConkey
changes the financial sector has seen
in the past year and half and one of the
rtunity Finance Network, we are seeing
biggest challenges that still exists is
an
• Stuart Associates Architects • Sweet Street
At the state level a new initiative by the
Desserts • United Disabilities Services •
we have seen an increase in the number
PA Treasury Department was announced
Weinstein Schleifer & Kupersmith • York
of loan applications, especially current
on March 25, 2010. Through the “Micro-
County Economic Development Corporation
business owners and nonprofit organizations
Lending Investment Initiative,” the Treasury
needing short-term loans or lines of credit
Foundations:
will make available $10 million in loans to
Community Foundation • The John Frederick
to
patches.
qualified Community Development Financial
Steinman Foundation
Like traditional banks, we have had to
Institutions such as Community First Fund
be very diligent with regard to risk and are
who will in turn lend money to entrepreneurs.
analyzing loan applications very thoroughly.
We are seeking funds from the new initiative.
VISTA Program • Lancaster County Housing
We have seen a slight uptick in the number
As always, we remain dedicated to social
and Redevelopment Authority • Pennsylvania
of delinquencies, but our portfolio quality
and economic justice and continue to work
Department of Community and Economic
has remained strong and net write-offs were
to
Development • U.S. Department of Health and
fewer than three percent last fiscal year.
for lower income communities.
them
through
rough
create
in
funding
Mecum • Spanish American Civic Association
At Community First,
get
increase
Benefits • Reese, Pugh, Samley, Wagenseller &
opportunities.
access to credit.
wealth-building
opportunities
The
Lancaster
County
Government: City of York •Corporation for
National and Community Service/AmeriCorps
Through
Human Services, Office of Community Services
The good news for our industry is that
entrepreneurship; the development of quality,
•U.S. Department of Treasury, Community
organizations like ours – Community Devel-
affordable housing; the support of nonprofit
Development
opment Financial Institutions (CDFIs) –
organizations aiding local residents, and
are gaining recognition as stable, viable
of course with your help, we know we are
options for loan seekers and investors.
making a difference in the lives of many.
Financial
Institutions
(CDFI)
Fund • U.S. Small Business Administration –
Microloan Program, Office of Women’s Business
Ownership
Individuals: Louis J. Appell • Greta H.
With articles in the national publications
Best regards,
Aul • Louise K. Barnett • Leslie H. Benoliel
2008 by our trade organization, Oppo-
Daniel Betancourt
Daniels • Joseph R. Di Garbo • Martin A.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vanessa E. Philbert
Daniel Betancourt, President & CEO
Christopher R. Rockey
Robert Torres, Esquire, Chair
Deborah A. Stuart
USA Today and Business Week magazine,
as well as an advocacy book published in
Benjamin Gutierrez, Ph.D., Treasurer
SENIOR LOAN COMMITTEE
Jack Howell, Secretary
Daniel Betancourt, Chair
Sara A. Austin, Esquire
Joan M. Brodhead, Vice Chair
Jonathan Encarnacion
Raymond A. Davis
John Galarza
Stephen D. Flaherty, Esquire
H. David Loughery
Cheryl D. Holland-Jones
Gerald W. Meck
James G. Shultz
R. Eric Menzer
• Jean K. & Charles M. Byers • William H.
Darocha • Richard & Sandy Fluck • Linda &
Pamela M. Woodell, Vice Chair
2
&
Law Firm • Bertz & Company • Economic
Allan Glazer • John Gouveia • Peter & Carol
Greenfield • Benjamin Gutierrez • S. Dale
High • T. Jerome Holleran • Jack Howell •
Edmund Jones • Marquita Jones • Nancy Val
Kambouroglos • Erika E. Lauffer • H. David
Loughery • Gerald Meck • Michael Meck •
Eric Menzer • Caroline S. Nunan • Carl S.
Pike • George & Harriet Rosenstein • Kendra
J. Saunders • MacDonald H. Stacks • Robert
Torres
• J. Kenneth Trauger
Wank • Charlotte Whiting
• Solomon
small B U S I N E S S A D M I N I S T R AT I O N T O
A W A R D C O M M U N I T Y fi R S T f U N D
C
First Fund
the
station, Alexandre approached Community
Business
country to have this tool; most SBA 7(a)
First for a loan to renovate the location.
Administration’s 2010 Community/Rural
lenders are banks. Community First Fund’s
Taking pride in representing his Lebanese
Lender of the Year Award. A new award
lenders determine if a loan is appropriate
heritage, Alexandre decorated the entire
category this year, the nomination was
for the guaranteed lending program. If it
restaurant to reflect his culture.
open to a “community/rural lender that
is, clients who agree to participate in the
restaurant which features Mediterranean
has exhibited an ongoing commitment
program are required to fill out several
delights is doing well and Alexandre is
to supporting the growth and expansion
additional forms not used in the normal
planning to complete further renovations.
of small businesses that are not able to
loan process.
Alexandre is very active in the community,
ommunity
named
the
Small
has
been
Financial
Institutions
(CDFIs)
in
The
obtain financing on reasonable terms
helping several organizations with catering
elsewhere.”
and donations.
Community First benefits
He believes strongly in
from a government guarantee lending
customer relationships and says, “You
program administered by the SBA (also
won’t get anywhere without taking risks
called the 7(a) program) and is able to
and having a vision.”
provide training and one-on-one business
counseling to clients through its microloan
program and Women’s Business Center
which are also supported by the SBA.
Community First Fund’s relationship with
Amanda Sowards, owner of Color Me Mine stands
near her studio supplies.
the SBA is long-standing and reciprocal: at
the 2009 Friends of the Fund, Community
An example of one of Community
First awarded the Philadelphia District
First Fund’s guaranteed lending program
Office the James Hyson Advocate Award
loans recipient is Amanda Sowards, owner
for the numerous referrals and continuous
of Color Me Mine in Mechanicsburg.
support it gives.
Amanda was the manager of the store, a
Daniel Betancourt, Community First Fund President
& CEO; David C. Dickson, SBA Philadelphia District
Office District Director; Joan M. Brodhead, Senior
Vice President & COO of Community First; Robert
Torres, Board Chair of Community First.
As an approved lender by the Small
Alexandre Borkhoche takes a load off in his
Mediterranean restaurant, Aladdin’s.
colorful paint-your-own pottery studio, for
Meanwhile, the Women’s Business
two years before the opportunity arose for
Center at Community First Fund helps
her to purchase the business.
Amanda
people like Kimyatta Williams, owner of
did not have a long credit history or many
Simplicity Art Gallery in Lancaster. While
assets at the time of the business sale;
Kimyatta already had business experience,
so Community First used the guarnatee
she worked with the Women’s Business
program to mitigate any possible risks.
Center
She obtained a loan from Community
and discuss marketing techniques for
First
been
promoting her new business. In planning
operating successfully ever since. “They
her business, Kimyatta’s aim was to bring
were extremely helpful in supporting me
something new and different to Lancaster
through the transition,” said Amanda.
and Prince Street’s Gallery Row. She has
Fund
in
Community
2008
First
and
Fund
has
has
been
to
reinforce
her
knowledge
created a space that she hopes will attract
Business Administration, Community First
providing microloans, defined by the SBA
is able to use the guaranteed lending
as loans under $35,000, since inception
The gallery offers poetry readings every
program as a tool to provide extra security
in 1992. Using this loan type, Community
Wednesday and other socializing events
for loans that it makes to eligible business
First was able to help Alexandre Borkhoche
each month. The only gallery on Gallery
clients. Community First Fund is one of
open Aladdin Restaurant in West Reading.
Row with a courtyard, she hopes to build
only a handful of Community Development
After purchasing a former Getty gas
youthful artists and audiences. Continued on page 7...
3
NEWS AND NOTES
Community EWorks
Announcements
November 13, 2009:
Community First
in the local, living economies movement will
In February 2009, Community First Fund
celebrated its annual Friends of the Fund
be the 2010 FOF Keynote Speaker. Check
launched its monthly electronic newsletter:
event. Held at the Lancaster County Con-
our web site for developments and details.
Community EWorks. These brief newsletters
vention Center, with more than 300 registered guests, it was a great success. Client award recipients are named on page
five. The advocate award was given to the
U.S. SBA Philadelphia District Office, accepted by David C. Dickson, District Director and the contriburor award was given
to Stephen M. Drizos, Executive Director,
Center For Private Financing, DCED. Da-
March 25, 2010: State Treasurer Rob McCord announced a $10 million Micro-Lending Investment Initiative. Community First
President and CEO Daniel Betancourt was
instrumental in advising the treasury department on how to set up the initiative, which
is only open to CDFIs. Community First will
seek funds to lend to area small businesses.
are a way to keep in contact with you
-- our friends, clients, donors, investors
and supporters. It only takes a second to
sign-up.
Simply go to the home page of
Community First Fund’s web site: www.
commfirstfund.org and on the top right of
the page you will see a text reading “Sign
up for our Email Newsletter.”
You can
view past Community EWorks in the News
vid A. Schankweiler, CEO and Publisher of
section of the web site. While on the web
the Central Penn Business Journal served
site, check out our new photo gallery which
as the Master of Ceremonies.
can also be accessed through the News &
The Key-
note Address was given by Julius Walls,
Media dropdown menu.
Jr., the former CEO of Greyston Bakery.
Just Confirmed: Judy Wicks, founder of Philadelphia’s White Dog Cafe and a national leader
PA State Treasurer Rob McCord with Community First
Fund Senior Vice President & COO Joan Brodhead.
New Faces, New Places
Please join Community First in welcoming its newest staff members, Jeff
documentation processing and accounts payable. Michelle graduated
Druce as Controller; Jim Buerger as Director of Business Lending and
from Coatesville Area Senior High and is currently working on a
Counseling, Berks/Lehigh Region; Michelle Kowal as Associate, Loan
Business Management degree from University of Phoenix.
Administration; and Gary Johnson Director of Loan Administration.
Gary Johnson has over 25 years experience in commercial banking
Jeff Druce has more than 20 years experience in banking, including
in the central Pennyslvania region. His career includes positions as
experience as a Vice President, Senior Lender and Commercial Loan
a lender at Meridian Bank and at Waypoint Bank; he was also Vice
Manager.
In addition, Mr. Druce holds a bachelor’s degree from
President for Correspondent Banking at Sterling Financial. Most
Millersville University and an MBA from Shippensburg University. Jeff
recently he worked at PNC Bank managing a significant portfolio of
has served as Controller since August, 2009.
loans. Gary is a graduate of Elizabethtown College and attended the
National Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of
Jim Buerger has extensive knowledge of commercial lending with over
Oklahoma.
30 years in banking. His career includes over 25 years with Fulton
Bank in the Lancaster and Reading markets and he was most recently
Community First Fund said goodbye to a key player in the organization
Chief Lending Officer at Fleetwood Bank in Berks County. Jim is a
this year.
graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, has an MBA in Business
Berks/Lehigh Region, Jim Hufford is moving onto other
Administration from Shippensburg University and is a graduate of the
pursuits. Jim was with Community First Fund for nearly ten years
Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
and mentored and trained several of the lenders on the staff today.
Director of Business Lending and Counseling in the
business
Jim looks back and says, “The experience has been rewarding to
4
Michelle Kowal’s background includes over eight years in account
me and I believe we have made a strong impact on the community
resolution and collections with GE Capital Solutions and CitiCapital
by helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams.” He will be
Commercial Corporation.
missed and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
In addition she has experience in loan
J uly 1 , 2 0 0 9 – M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 0
$ 4 , 0 2 8 , 0 9 4 f in a n c e d : 5 1 L o a ns a p p ro v e d
Client
County
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster
York
Lancaster
Lancaster
August 2009
London Real Estate
Buffalogal Enterprises*
Lancaster
Chester
York
Lancaster
York
Chester
Lebanon
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster
Berks
Dauphin
Lancaster
Lancaster
October 2009
Stuart and Associates Architects, Inc.
Underground Sound and Variety
Community Action Program of Lancaster County
Lincoln Tea Room, LLC
Lancaster
York
Lancaster
Chester
Indian Creek Foundation
Perry Housing Partnership
TMIS, LLC
Montgomery
Perry
Lancaster
Client Accomplishments
• Sandi’s Breads, owned by Sandi Smith and located in the
Farmstead Farmer’s Market, expanded its product line in October
2009 to include cakes and European-style artisan breads. Visit
the Market at 1976 Laudermilch Road, Palymra or online at www.sandisbreads.com
• Leah Margerum owner of This Little Piggy, which she runs out
of her East Side Community Kitchen in Lancaster, was featured
in an October 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer article about sharing
• Johanny Cepeda, owner of Mi Casa Su Casa in Reading was
awarded the James Hyson Entrepreneur Award at Community First
Fund’s Friends of the Fund (FOF) celebration in November 2009.
Visit the cafe in person for fantastic food at 320 Penn Street or
• Awarded the James Hyson Community Development Award at
the FOF were the owners of the Lancaster Arts Hotel – Bill Stull,
Peter Egan, Gary Neff, John deVitry and Brad Gearhart. Visit the
hotel at 300 Harrisburg Avenue.
Lancaster
Cumberland
Lancaster
Berks
www.lancasterartshotel.com
• El Maizal: The Cornfield
Art-Restaurant
in
December
Lancaster.
opened
2009
in
Singer, artist,
and head chef/owner Ramiro
Velasco runs the business
with his wife Gloria. Visit at
January 2010
Home Instead Senior Care
Simplicity Art Gallery
Tasha M. Wright
Conquistador Oil
Thomas Ventures Electrical
March 2010
online at www.micasasucasacafe.com.
Berks
Lancaster
Berks
Montgomery
Chester
Lancaster
Lancaster
December 2009
Ric’s Bread, LLC
Sunoco Aplus Express
Luis Ortega
Bhs Properties
Berks
Chester
Cumberland
Lancaster
Lehigh
commercial grade kitchens. http://thislittlepiggy.info
November 2009
1 Ball, LLC
Monarch Enterprise, Inc
Daisy Day Care Center
Virtual Essence Hair Design, Inc.
Link Recruiting
Bainbridge 76 Service Station
C.C. Investment Associates L.P.
The Cream Smoothie Co.
Nunn Finer Products
The Green Room
Reyna Information Technology
Thrifty Car Sales
*Client with multiple loans during six-month period
September 2009
Sun Coast Heating, LLC
Hamonah, LLC
The Stewartson Printing Co.
Specialty Metals Welding and Fabrication Inc.
Frank’s Carpet Cleaning
Edna Lizardi
Andre Gonzalez Real Estate
Timeless Ventures, Inc.
Mail Room Express
Pennsylvania Association of Latino Organizations
Crispus Attucks Community Center, Inc.
Rebecca A. Kurtz Child Day Care
County
February 2010
July 2009
SACA Development Corporation*
Gilliam’s Classic Cuts
El Maizal
Jenlin, Inc.
Millers Dutch Market
Expressly Local Foods
Client
306 North Mulberry Street.
Montgomery
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lancaster
Gloria & Ramiro Velasco, owners of
El Maizal
If you have any news you wish to share
with Community First Fund, please do so by
contacting [email protected]
5
S p r i n g /S u m m e r 2010
tr a ining s c he dule
Keys to Success
(based on the Core 4 curriculum)
• May 1 - May 29 (every Saturday for five
weeks), 9 am-12 pm, Reading
• June 2 - June 30 (every Wednesday for
five weeks), 5:30-8:30 pm, Harrisburg
Federal Procurement
• May 10 (Monday), 9 am-12 pm,
Harrisburg
State Procurement
• May 12 (Wednesday), 9 am-12 pm,
Entrepreneurial Speaker Series
W
our
Kae Kohl of Kiwi Marketing Group is
S peaker S eries E vent ,
skilled in helping entrepreneurs and small
we were excited to get our second one under
businesses use advances in technology
way! This event was held on May 7th -First
to communicate their message in cost-
Friday- covering the topic of social media.
effective ways.
Harrisburg
ith
the
great
inaugural
success
of
She also does training
Why do I need to use social media?
on internet marketing and social media.
• June 8 (Tuesday), 9 am-12 pm,
Doesn’t it take a lot of time? How do I get
Anne Kirby, a Creative Partner at Not Bad
Lancaster
started?
These questions and more were
Design, handles graphic and web design,
addressed by our panel consisting of three
custom illustration, marketing, and social
women who are experienced in the field. The
media to produce inventive marketing
event was held at the Community First’s office
strategies that position clients to succeed.
in Lancaster City and began at 4:30 pm.
This knowledge-sharing event was again
Kelly
a success. Look for details about upcoming
via the Training page on our web site at
Watson, owner of Word Wise Marketing
events via our web site’s Women’s Business
www.commfirstfund.org. If you do not
and
a
center tab at www.commfirstfund.org.
have internet access, you may contact
for
businesses
Biz 101
• May 19 (Wednesday), 3-5 pm,
Harrisburg
To register for courses please do so online
Our
Jamie Frey at [email protected] or
at 717-393-2351.
Class Locations
•Lancaster: Community First Fund, 30 W.
Orange Street Lancaster, PA 17603
p: (717) 393-2351
•Harrisburg: Community First Fund, 140 B
Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17101
p: (717) 920-1520
panel
successful
included
copywriter;
across
the
writing
nation.
Women as Entrepreneurs
Please refer to the
class name and location when registering.
local
F
or the several years that
S usan
J ohnstone worked at the C hester
the challenge. She opened The Lincoln
Room in June 2008.
C ounty H istorical S ociety, one of the
The Lincoln Room pays tribute to
most frequent questions asked was “is
our 16th president whose bid for office
there a tea room nearby?”
In 2008, the
was promoted from what is today called
proprietors of a coffee shop in downtown
the Lincoln Building. While Susan has a
West Chester decided to sell the business.
plethora of knowledge when it comes to
Susan, a former entrepreneur always looking
Lincoln, she also knows her community
for the next opportunity, elected to take on
and
•York: Crispus Attucks Room #203, 605
her
niche.
She
is
constantly
networking, partnering and finding new
Duke Street York, PA 17401
ways to expand her business. Her Fondue
•Reading: Community First Fund, 505
Fridays are so popular that she has a
Penn Street, 2nd Floor Reading, PA
waiting list.
19603
tours in the spring and ghost tours in the
p: (610) 685-4940
fall. Her newest venture is Paws for Tea
She does historic walking
to be held in her neighboring courtyard
for patrons and their four-legged friends.
Of running her tea room Susan says, “it’s
Susan Johnstone, owner of The Lincoln Room, stands at
the entrance of her tea room.
6
like throwing a party everyday.” And who
wouldn’t want to do that for a living?
SBA Clients
...Continued from page 3
a culture and bring things to Lancaster
not seen elsewhere.
To realize this year
Affordable Housing Initiatives
A
ffordable
more
housing
and
more
is
becoming
unattainable
for people all over the country. Here in
and a half long project, Kimyatta received
Pennsylvania, the situation is only slightly
a loan from Community First Fund in 2009
better.
for working capital and renovations.
new report jointly released by the National
According to “Out of Reach,” a
Low Income Housing Coalition based
in a Washington, DC, and The Housing
Alliance of Pennsylvania, the Housing
Wage for Pennsylvania is $16.19.
The
The Spanish American Civic Association’s “Palm
Street Project” featuring 10 new housing units.
Housing Wage is the hourly wage a family
Kimyatta Williams, owner of Simplicity Art Gallery
standing with an exquisite piece of art.
She claims Community First Fund was
instrumental in her successful opening and
must earn – working 40 hours a week, 52
In the first eight months of fiscal year
weeks a year – to be able to afford rent
2010, Community First has provided
and utilities in the private housing market.
nearly $2 million in funding for affordable
Working at the minimum wage, a family
housing resulting in the production of
must have 2.2 wage earners working full-
31 affordable housing units. Fifteen of
time or one full-time earner working 89
the units serve individuals and families
hours per week – to afford a modest two-
with special needs. In rural Perry County,
bedroom apartment.
Community First provided a $121,000
says, “More success stories would happen
Part of Community First Fund’s small
acquisition loan to the newly-formed
if there were more organizations that
cities strategy is to support affordable
Perry County Housing Partnership. The
genuinely cared as much as Community
housing development and create mixed-
total project will cost $525,000 and that
First Fund.”
income communities that alleviate the
will result in the creation of five units of
If you would like to learn more about
concentration of poverty in our urban
supportive housing for homeless veterans.
these clients you can visit them at their
cores. To this end, we provide loans for
Also in FY 2010 Community First
locations.
Color Me Mine is located at
market rate housing projects in locations
provided a loan to the Indian Creek
4830 Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg,
that are highly urban; our affordable
Foundation for $380,000 to finance 100%
PA.
housing lending assists in rehabilitating
of the acquisition and rehab of a property
the aging housing stock in downtowns.
that
Aladdin’s Restaurant can be visited
at 401 Penn Avenue in West Reading, PA.
Simplicity Art Gallery is located at 150
North Prince Street in Lancaster, PA.
In 2009 Community First provided
$2.3 million dollars to generate 155 units
will
house
five
developmentally
disabled adults in Montgomery County.
Community First Fund is providing a
In
$650,000 loan for the land acquisition
National Small Business Week
is May 23 - 25, 2010
one case, Community First provided a
and development costs for a $4 million
$200,000 pre-development loan for 70
new construction project for the non-
of affordable housing in our region.
Every year since 1963, the President
senior units in rural Chester County. The
profit organization Berks Women-In-Crisis.
of the U. S. has proclaimed National
loan provided funding for site control,
The project will consist of five units of
Small Business Week to recognize the
architect and land development fees.
transitional housing for abused women and
contributions of small businesses to
Community First also provided the
contain the non-profit’s corporate office
the economic well-being of America. In
Spanish American Civic Association with
and supportive services spaces for their
2010, National Small Business Week
a $204,000 construction loan for the
clients. The project is located in the City of
will honor the estimated 27.2 million
rehab of 10 single-family for-sale units
Reading in a low-income census tract close
small businesses in America. More than
to first time home buyers in an inner-
to employment, public transportation, and
half of Americans either own or work
city neighborhood in Lancaster, PA. Total
a community college.
for small businesses which create 60-80
eligible project costs for all 17 financed
cost of these three projects is currently
percent of new jobs in the country.
projects in 2009 equaled $14.7 million.
estimated to be over $5 million.
The completion
7
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lancaster, PA
Permit No. 1814
P.O. Box 524
30 West Orange Street
Lancaster, PA 17608-0524
Serving 13 counties in Central PA
through five offices:
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Lancaster (Lancaster and Lebanon Counties)
30 West Orange Street • P.O. Box 524
Lancaster, PA 17608-0524
Phone: 717-393-2351 • Fax: 717-393-1757
York (York and Adams Counties)
226 East Market Street
York, PA 17403
Phone: 717-848-3863 • Fax: 717-848-4438
Reading (Berks, Lehigh and Northampton Counties)
505 Penn Street, 2nd Floor • P.O. Box 7936
Reading, PA 19603-7936
Phone: 610-685-4940 • Fax: 610-685-4941
Harrisburg (Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin and Perry Counties)
140-B Strawberry Square • Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 717-920-1520 • Fax: 717-920-1521
Exton (Chester and Montgomery Counties)
Eagleview Corporate Center • 737 Constitution Drive
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: 610-458-1695, ext. 255 • Fax: 610-903-4261
community
first
fund
staff
Daniel Betancourt, President and Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Ramos, Associate, Loan Administration
Joan M. Brodhead, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Michelle L. Kowal, Associate, Loan Administration
Jeffrey L. Druce, Controller
Linda H. Gabriel, Accounting Manager
Daniel T. Beck, Director of Business Lending and Counseling,
Lancaster and Lebanon Region
Genny L. Stein, Senior Associate, Accounting
Jeffrey K. Dice, Director of Business Lending and Counseling,
York and Adams Region
James E. Buerger, Director of Business Lending and Counseling,
Berks and Lehigh Region
Douglas J. Weiser, Director of Business Lending and Counseling,
Capital Region
Fred S. Engle, Director of Business Lending and Counseling,
Chester Region
Mary Kay Eckenrode, Director of Real Estate Lending
Miriam Soto, Business Lender and Counselor/Director of Training
Kenneth J. Olson, Business Consultant
Nelson A. DeLeon, Business Consultant, Berks Region
Gary R. Johnson, Director of Loan Administration
Stephanie N. Kessler, Senior Associate, Marketing
Regina M. Gendusa, Senior Associate, Impact and Compliance
Jamie L. Frey, Administrative Assistant
Lauren J. Caporizo, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Ashly L. Gilgore, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
John Gouveia, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Meredith A. Husband, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Ryan P. Kasyan, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Mary Kate McDevitt, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Kevin M. Ressler, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Daniel S. Samartino, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Laura E. Sylvester, AmeriCorps VISTA Member