AmeriCorps VISTA Entrepreneur Corps Program

Only two weeks remain to sign up for a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) with SNEDA’s Entrepreneur Corps. So far SNEDA has placed a micro-enterprise developer, infill housing developer, business consultant, VISTA Leader and supplied several other VISTA candidates to our various partner organizations. The last day to be accepted into the program is July 14, 2003. Please see the americorps.org and the sneda.org websites for more information or phone 444-7633.

2002 Audit

The 2002 official audit of SNEDA’s financial records by our auditor, Lori A. Pierson, CPA came back completely clean, leading one VISTA Entrepreneur Corps member to begin singing "Mama don’t allow no ENRON ‘round here." Thank you, Lori, for the thorough report. Yes, VISTA members can be "fun people."

Loan Funds

SNEDA now can access $45,000 from Spokane’s HUD Community Development Block Grant funds and intends to use the money for good loans only, co-lending with area banks whenever possible. Phone Nick Landis or Eric Loewe at 444-7633 for more information on SNEDA’s loan capabilities.

Financial Contribution to SNEDA

Anyone interested in making a tax deductible financial contribution to SNEDA should mail the donation to SNEDA, 715 East Sprague, Suite 101, Spokane, WA 99223. Please contact Eric Loewe at 444-7633 for more information.

AmeriCorps VISTA Role Model

Please see the attached press release on next year’s AmeriCorps VISTA Leader Susan Devan.

New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC)

The U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund has announced that applications for its NMTC program are due this fall, offering substantial benefits to investors in organizations like SNEDA that focus on business development in low income areas. Successful applicants thus far have had proven track records, projects in hand and committed investors. To be competitive SNEDA is now identifying qualified business projects as well as interested investors. If you have potential projects, or are interested in learning more about the benefits investors can receive from this program contact Nick Landis at 444-7633.