VEDC Hosts Grand Opening of Pacoima Entrepreneur Center
07 July 2015 - 08:19AM
Business Wire
VEDC/UBS to celebrate opening of center to
impact economic development in the area
VEDC:
What:
Grand opening of the Pacoima Entrepreneur
Center, constructed by VEDC to help revitalize and create new jobs
in this economically distressed community. The 3-story,
13,895-square-foot commercial building was made possible by a $3.75
million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
VEDC anticipates the Center will create and or place at least 350
jobs over the next 5 years. Complimentary continental breakfast
will be served.
When:
8:30-10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015
Where:
Pacoima Entrepreneur Center, 13420 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, CA
91331
Why:
VEDC strongly believes that the key to job creation is in the
establishment and growth of small businesses. The Pacoima
Entrepreneur Center was created to provide small business and
virtual incubation services to emerging entrepreneurs as well as
workforce development services to help low-income individuals
seeking to find and retain employment. It is necessary to nurture
entrepreneurs and small business owners and build their
self-sufficiency to increase the community’s capacity for economic
equality and an improved quality of life and contribute to the
economic vitality of the community. The Pacoima Entrepreneur Center
will ultimately serve as a catalyst for further development in
Pacoima and its surrounding communities, which include Los Angeles
County’s most economically distressed areas.
Who:
Jay Williams – Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the United
States Economic Development Administration. Mr. Williams is charged
with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting
innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for
growth and success in the global economy. Robert Sainz –
Assistant General Manager of Operations, City of Los Angeles,
Economic and Workforce Development Department. Mr. Sainz has spent
nearly 20 years in public service committed to addressing the
issues of unemployment and poverty. Pegi Matsuda – Chairman
of the Board for VEDC – Senior Vice President, Community &
Market Development, Valley Presbyterian Hospital. As Chairman, Ms.
Matsuda is leading VEDC in becoming the largest alternative lender
to minority- and women-owned businesses. Roberto Barragan –
President and CEO of VEDC. Mr. Barragan has over 28 years of
experience managing non-profit organizations, including the last
twenty involved in community economic development, technical
assistance to for-profit and non-profit entities, and financial
resource development.
VEDC is a leading non-profit small business lender that is
changing the way small business lending is done by making it more
available and impactful. As a national small business lender, VEDC
has lent $380 million in direct and guaranteed loans to over
100,000 small businesses and created more than 28,000 new jobs. As
a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI),
VEDC’s mission is to help create jobs and promote economic
development in under-served communities. It provides loans and
micro-financing options to small businesses, particularly those
owned by women and minorities, that don’t qualify for traditional
bank financing. VEDC’s expanding portfolio is composed of
community-based loan funds in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco,
Las Vegas, Miami, Salt Lake City and the New York Tri-State area.
For more information visit www.vedc.org.
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VEDC and TBOFLisa Winkle(818) 907-9977 O(818)
415-3919 Mlwinkle@vedc.org