 It was the coldest day of 2020 yet, but the overall feeling was warm and fuzzy. The rotunda in Granite City Hall was standing room only to celebrate the multi-year effort to transform the vacant YMCA building in downtown Granite City into 37 affordable one and two bedroom apartments. With an emphasis on local artists and veterans, Edison Avenue Lofts will offer community space in addition to exhibition gallery and studio space. Justine PETERSEN will provide access to financial asset-building products and services to residents, and also play a role – along with Alfresco Productions and G-CADD (the Granite City Art and Design District) – in promoting the development to prospective residents. |
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Justine PETERSEN staffers Aida Richardson, Robert Boyle and JP Field Representative Mary Overbey participated in a recent Lender Training hosted by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Springfield, MO. Local lenders were educated about the myriad small business resources available to their clients, including those offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). JP staffers presented on the SBA Microloan program and the Community Advantage Loan program; the latter provides small business financing up to $250k.
Nikki Wilson and Randen Click of Justine PETERSEN recently met with Latonya Collins and D’Wayne Sargent, Community Lending Officers with Bank of America, to discuss innovative ways to connect clients interested in home ownership with mortgage bankers. As a HUD-certified counseling agency, Justine PETERSEN connects clients interested in homeownership with mainstream banking products and services. “Pre-qual Fridays” will offer clients to meet with a BOA mortgage officer and see if they pre-qualify for a BOA home loan product.
Justine PETERSEN recently lost a colleague, friend and family member. Danyel Pitts passed after a tireless fight against breast cancer. She was the founding JP staff member of the Springfield, Illinois Microloan Fund, charting new waters for our organization and the City of Springfield as a whole. Her radiant smile and spirit lives on with every ray of sunshine bestowed upon the City of Springfield – and beyond.