Western Reserve Community Fund

09/03/2026

Stark County business owners, this one's for you. JumpStart's Small Business Impact Program is still accepting applications for Cohort 6 through September 7.

If your business is bringing in more than $100,000 a year and you're ready to grow, it's a great program to check out. Learn more and apply at the link below.

Not quite there yet? WRCF can help you get there. Reach out and let's talk about what a microloan or other small business financing could do for you.

Tools To Grow & Thrive JumpStart’s Stark County Small Business Impact Program is an intensive 12-week group-based educational program that provides promising entrepreneurs with: Focused business advising Education on various essential business topics Impactful tools and resources to help business ...

09/03/2026

Microloans aren't just for businesses. Nonprofits with two or more years of operating history are eligible too. A $20,000 WRCF microloan can bridge a grant delay, cover equipment for a new program, or keep payroll steady while a reimbursement clears. Rates cap at 4%, and technical assistance and financial management support are always available whether or not you borrow from us.

Nonprofit in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, or Wayne County? Call 330-762-4776 or visit developmentfinanceauthority.org/wrcf to learn more.

08/28/2026

Imagine if every purchase helped build a stronger community.

Imagine more Black-owned businesses opening their doors, creating jobs, mentoring the next generation, and investing back into our neighborhoods.

That's what The Black Exchange: A Black Wall Street Experience is all about.

We're bringing together Black-owned businesses, community members, and supporters to celebrate entrepreneurship and remind ourselves that where we spend our money matters.

Together, we can honor the legacy of Black Wall Street by creating opportunities right here in our own community.

📅 August 29, 2026
📍1495 S. Hawkins Ave.
⏰ 12 PM – 5 PM

08/28/2026

We Lend Here: Wooster to Kent, and everywhere in between. Microloans from $10,000 to $50,000 for small businesses and nonprofits in Summit, Stark, Medina, Portage, and Wayne counties.

Start your microlending journey at https://DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/wrcf

08/21/2026

What's the one thing holding your business back right now?

For a lot of owners we work with, the answer costs about $10,000 to fix. WRCF microloans range from $10,000 to $50,000 across Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, and Wayne counties. Free financial management support comes with it — whether you borrow from us or not.

Start your microlending journey at DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/wrcf

08/19/2026

Join us today, Aug. 19th, at 3:30 PM ET for Planning & Permitting 101 — a free 30-minute webinar walking through what to expect, who to talk to, and how to keep your project moving.

Register: https://DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/webinar

08/18/2026

Tomorrow's the day! ⏰ Join us Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 3:30–4:00 PM ET for a free 30-minute webinar with the city and county officials who review your plans and issue your permits. Real answers, plain language, and time for your questions.

Register now at https://DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/webinar

08/17/2026

Two days out. 🏗️ On Wednesday, Aug. 19, we're sitting down with the officials who review your plans for a straightforward half hour on how planning and permitting works — what they look for, where to go, where applications get hung up, and how to keep yours moving.

Plans & Permits 101
📅 Wednesday, Aug. 19 | 3:30–4:00 PM ET
💻 Free, online, and open to everyone

Bring your questions. Register at https://DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/webinar

08/14/2026

Join us for Planning & Permitting 101, a free 30-minute webinar covering what to know before you build or renovate — from choosing the right contractor to avoiding the mistakes that get plans kicked back.

🗓️ Wednesday, August 19
🕞 3:30–4:00 PM ET
💻 Free on Zoom — bring your questions for live Q&A

Register at the link in our bio or at https://DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/webinar

08/14/2026

WRCF microloans put $10,000–$50,000 to work for small businesses and nonprofits in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, and Wayne counties — with rates that never top 4% (average is 3%) and underwriting that welcomes credit scores of 500+.

Equipment. Payroll. Refinancing high-interest debt. Whatever your next step is, it starts with a conversation.

Start your lending journey at https://developmentfinanceauthority.org/wrcf