Regions Bank Commits $15,000 to LISC for Micro-Enterprise Support in Indianapolis Neighborhoods

From left to right: Erik Miner (Commercial Banking Leader and Central Indiana Market Executive for Regions) Tedd Grain (Executive Director, LISC Indianapolis) Nicole Woodson (Community Development Manager for Regions in Indiana)

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Regions Bank Commits $15,000 to LISC for Micro-Enterprise Support in Indianapolis Neighborhoods

INDIANAPOLIS (January 24, 2020) - Regions Bank is providing a $15,000 grant to Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Indianapolis to help build a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem in targeted Indianapolis neighborhoods. This is the largest Regions commitment to any of LISC’s 35 local offices.

The funding will directly support LISC staff to implement the organization’s Inclusive Economic Opportunity Districts program that includes direct support to 10 neighborhood business districts as they develop their commercial and industrial corridors, expand existing businesses and attract new businesses. The grant supports 17 under-represented founders-- entrepreneurs recruited and enrolled in the program that are women, people of color, veterans, immigrants, and/or people with disabilities.

“For more than a quarter century, LISC Indianapolis has been dedicated to advancing inclusive prosperity throughout the Circle City,” said Nicole Woodson, Community Development Manager for Regions in Indiana. “This partnership involves providing small business owners with greater access to resources, offering them valuable financial and employment coaching and elevating urban neighborhoods through a micro-enterprise approach. Regions is pleased to support LISC’s commitment to connecting neighborhood talent to jobs and increasing financial stability.”  

“LISC Indianapolis is focused on supporting the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our neighborhoods by investing in entities and programs that provide direct and inclusive support to entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises,” said Tedd Grain, Executive Director of LISC Indianapolis. “This financial support from Regions will help us equip local businesses with the resources they need to grow.”

LISC Indianapolis also directly supports minority entrepreneurship through increased access to capital and entrepreneurship programming associated with our Bridges to Career Opportunities (BCO) program that connects neighborhood talent to jobs and financial stability. As a BCO site, four neighborhood-based organizations including Edna Martin Christian Center, John Boner Neighborhood Center, Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, and Southeast Community Services, bundle employment coaching, financial coaching, and income support services. As well as offer industry-recognized credentialing and adult education services that, together, serve as a bridge from entry-level jobs to middle-skill jobs that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. 

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Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Indianapolis is the local office of a national organization that helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform distressed communities and neighborhoods into healthy ones — good places to live, do business, work, and raise families. By providing capital, technical expertise, training, and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing; commercial, industrial, and community facilities; businesses; and jobs. In short, we help neighbors build communities.