Intend Indiana has invested 100% of its 2024 Build Fund initiative loans into minority and women-owned businesses.
Intend Indiana’s Build Fund initiative is dedicated to helping small businesses grow by connecting them to “flexible, affordable and responsible funding,” according to a press release. For the last two years, 100% of the Build Fund loans have gone to Indiana-based minority and women-owned businesses.
“Our goal with Build Fund is to provide underserved small businesses with access to affordable capital so they can grow, build wealth and contribute to their communities,” Stephanie Quick, president of Intend Indiana, said in a statement. “With 100% of our 2024 loans going to minority- and women-owned businesses across Indiana, we continue to break down barriers and create opportunities for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
The Build Fund initiative supports a variety of businesses across different sectors through providing funds for expansion, equipment and real estate development, according to a press release.
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The 2024 loan recipients include:
- Priest Homoya, LLC. (Ash & Elm Cider Company) – Funding supported the relocation of Indianapolis-based Ash & Elm’s operations to a new facility on East Washington Street and enabled ownership of the building.
- Bihurri, LLC. – Financing supported the construction of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on a vacant lot in Indianapolis.
- Nettie’s Learning Academy, LLC. – Funding helped expand the central Indiana childcare facility, ensuring continued high-quality early childhood education services.
- ACT Development, LLC. – Supported the construction of two single-family homes in the Indianapolis Near Northwest neighborhood.
- The Master’s Key, LLC. (Joy’s Helping Hand Childcare Center) – Provided capital for a sprinkler system, playground equipment, and facility enhancements to accommodate additional children at the Indianapolis-based childcare center.
- Green Gold, LLC. – Assisted a landscaping business in purchasing equipment to expand its capacity for larger projects.
- GMR Construction Services, LLC. – Funding went toward rehabilitating a single-family home in Marion County.
- C&A Consulting, LLC. – Enabled the purchase of specialized equipment for lead abatement across multiple properties.
- Inner City Development, LLC. – Supported the construction of three single-family homes in South Bend’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
- Reliable Roofing & Construction, LLC. – Assisted with the construction of a single-family home as part of a larger affordable housing initiative in South Bend.
“Working with Intend Indiana to fund my commercial property purchase and renovation helped me to expand my business and provide more child care enrichment opportunities for the families in our community,” Jamika Cooper, owner of Joy’s Helping Hand Childcare Center, said in a statement.
Intend Indiana works with community-centered organizations, nonprofits, foundations, banks and both state and local governments to provide resources and programming to the community. For more information, visit intendindiana.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
