Woodlands Community Lenders Inc., a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Elkins, West Virginia, received a $171,291 Project Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002) awarded on October 1, 2025. The award, with a completion date of September 30, 2028, supports organizational capacity building and economic development initiatives across the Appalachian region. As the direct prime awardee with no subrecipients, Woodlands Community Lenders Inc. will leverage this funding to strengthen its internal operations and leadership capabilities while advancing community and economic development objectives aligned with ARC's strategic priorities.
The funding contributes to Woodlands Community Lenders Inc.'s broader mission of delivering financial products, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to underserved low-income communities and individuals in rural and urban markets throughout Appalachia. This award represents the organization's continued recognition as a trusted implementer of federal economic development initiatives, complementing its substantial existing portfolio of federal grants exceeding $3.4 million from ARC and other federal agencies focused on financial inclusion, business development, workforce training, and regional economic diversification.
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