Empowerment Reinvestment Fund LLC (ERF)

Seedco Financial’s subsidiary Community Development Entity (CDE), called Empowerment Reinvestment Fund LLC (ERF), invests federal NMTC in projects that encourage economic development investment in low-income communities nationwide. ERF has been awarded $145 million in NMTC from the CDFI Fund since 2003. All of our investments generate significant community impacts in the form of new or retained jobs, community services, or increased economic opportunity.

Initial Eligibility Criteria

• Projects or businesses must be located in low-income communities defined as having a median income below 80 percent of the median income in the surrounding area or a poverty rate in excess of 20 percent.

• Must show that they provide substantial services to their communities or that they are located within that community.

Types of Projects Seedco Financial's CDE Finances

• Large-scale job development projects.

• Projects that support small business development.

• Projects that enhance the capacity of minority-serving institutions and community facilities.

• Anchor real estate projects that act as catalysts for community development in LMI neighborhoods.

• Project and businesses must be located in areas of higher distress. Examples include but are not limited to: area median income of below 60 percent or poverty rates in excess of 30 percent.

Types of Investments

• Senior and subordinate below market interest rate loans; Seedco Financial does not provide equity investments.

• All investments are subject to a full and complete underwriting and approval by the Board of Directors.