Impact Stories

Opportunity For nearly a century, the plant on Holliday Street in Lynchburg has processed Virginia-grown meat. The facility was purpose-built as an abattoir and Seven Hills Food Co. are now just the fourth tenant in its long history. These buildings are a rarity in this era, often converted for other industry, into lofts, or even torn down. Solutions Mission-Focused Lending As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), VCC can support projects like Seven Hills Food …

Opportunity A vacant and dilapidated 12,000 square foot building in the heart of the Bedford community. Developer Dave McCormack worked with Virginia Community Capital (VCC) to fund the first brewery in Bedford, Virginia, Beale’s Beer. The brewery creates a dog and family friendly space for the community to enjoy and come together while also bringing jobs to the area. Solutions Flexible Funding The projects VCC backs are sometimes considered “too complicated” from the broader financial …

Opportunity Developer Dave McCormack worked with Virginia Community Capital (VCC) to fund Trapezium Brewing Company. The brewery creates a lively, vibrant gathering place that brings new life to a vacant building, attracts residents and visitors to Old Towne Petersburg while creating jobs and revenue for the city. Solutions Flexible Funding The projects VCC backs are sometimes considered “too complicated” from the broader financial community. VCC funded McCormack’s Trapezium Brewing Company with several other financial and …

Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS) is a nonprofit community health center based in Danville with locations in Chatham, Martinsville, and Boydton (Medically Underserved Areas) which offers primary care services including pediatrics. PATHS’ vision is to be a catalyst for change, making a healthy life possible for everyone. The center serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay and 40% of their patients are uninsured. PATHS decided to increase its Danville facility to expand …

Jim Scanlon, an experienced grocer with more than 40 years in the industry, opened a full-scale grocery store in the city of Newport News in May of 2016 with VCC’s help. This community-focused private/public partnership was established to create living wage jobs, stimulate economic activity, and provide access to healthy and affordable foods. The store is 28,000sq ft. full-service grocery store offering fresh produce, prepared foods, salad bar, deli, traditional grocery staple items. Jim’s Market …

In May, 2016 Secure Futures LLC completed a solar power generation system on the campus of the University of Richmond (UR) in Richmond, Virginia. Totaling 205 kW, the array was installed on the roof of the Weinstein Recreation and Wellness Center. The UR project is home to the first commercial application of SolarWorld USA bi-sun solar panels, which increase efficiency by taking advantage of solar radiation from both direct sunlight on the front and ambient …

Enhancing quality of life… In the heart of Clifton Forge, about a half hour west of Lexington, is the historic Masonic Theatre. Up until 1987, the Masonic was the oldest operating theater in Virginia. It reopened in 1990 and was donated to the town of Clifton Forge in 2003. The architectural masterpiece has hosted such stars as Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Burl Ives, the Drifters, and the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra. In 2016 the theatre …

Richmond Association of REALTORS® (RAR) launched their “Quality of Life” investment strategy in May of 2016. This strategy is funded through a loan to Virginia Community Capital (VCC) and donations to The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia (TCF). In this model, RAR is bringing together impact investing and philanthropy to tackle affordable housing and education issues in the Richmond region. How does it work? RAR has invested $1 million into a three-year LION …

Essel Propack America opened its Danville factory to supply laminated tubes to companies such as Sundial Brands, Proctor & Gamble and Unilever. These tubes and caps are used in packaging products for oral care, cosmetics, and food service. Today, if you brush with Crest toothpaste you may have handled a Danville-made tube. The Essel Group, Essel Propack’s parent, is the largest specialty packaging company worldwide with 35 percent of the global market and manufacturing locations …