A CDFI Story of Providing Access to Opportunity
Client: Erskine Green Training Institute
Client Location: Muncie, IN
CDFI: Cinnaire Lending Corporation
CDFI Service Area: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin
Housing to Organizations
In the Spring of 2016, the Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) held its first graduation ceremony. EGTI opened its doors in January 2016 with a goal to serve as a bridge to employment among Indiana’s disabled population. Offering 10-week training courses, EGTI helps students improve skills and increase their employability in hotel, food service, and healthcare. The institute was the brainchild of the Arc of Indiana who saw EGTI as a place to provide postsecondary educational opportunities that successfully train individuals with disabilities. Students live onsite for the duration of their training. After training, individuals are encouraged to seek employment within those industries. Cinnaire’s investment of $11M in New Markets Tax Credit allocation made financing the project possible.
“Cinnaire is very excited to partner with The Arc of Indiana on this significant project, bringing much-needed training resources to the disabled community throughout Indiana,” said Mark McDaniel, President & CEO. “Our mission at Cinnaire has long included promoting access to education and training opportunities. This project represents the first concept of its kind in the country and I am thrilled Cinnaire was able to lend our expertise to see this vision become a reality…The impact this investment represents for the hardworking students at the Institute is truly remarkable and I personally look forward to sharing their stories of success.”
EGTI expects to train around 200 people from across the state each year.