Western Reserve Community Fund

10/15/2026

Be sure to join us October 27th for the CREW Greater Akron Annual Commercial Real Estate Forum at Bounce Innovation Hub! Congratulations to our DFA team members, Chief Lending Officer and CREW Vice President, Lori Sallaz, for organizing the event, and Senior Project Manager Anna King, who will serve as a moderator. Don’t miss this exciting event!

09/30/2026

🎉 Announcing the nominees for the Nonprofit Community Champion Award at the 2nd Annual Groundwork Gathering! 🎉This award recognizes a nonprofit that positively influences the community. Congratulations to:

The Vincent House Akron
Let's Grow Akron
Truly Reaching You

Thank you for the work you do every day to make our community stronger. We can't wait to celebrate you!

Join us as we honor these nominees and announce the winner at the 2nd Annual Groundwork Gathering! 🥂

📅 Thursday, November 12 at 5:00 PM
📍 E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron

Seats are limited, so RSVP today at https://www.developmentfinanceauthority.org/groundwork-gathering/

09/24/2026

The September issue of Impactful Insights is out. Inside: the 15 Groundwork Gathering nominees, new board member David Vargo, WRCF's Business of the Month, and much more!

Read it at https://www.developmentfinanceauthority.org/impactful-insights-dfas-september-newsletter/

09/18/2026

Congratulations Anna!

We had a great time this morning celebrating Anna King, our Senior Project Manager, at the Greater Akron Chamber's 30 for the Future event!

Anna keeps complex projects moving from first conversation to closing, and our region is better for it. We're proud to see her recognized alongside 29 others shaping what comes next for Greater Akron.

Congratulations, Anna, and thank you to the Greater Akron Chamber for a great event.

09/18/2026

The Groundwork Gathering returns Nov. 12 at E.J. Thomas Hall to honor the businesses, organizations, and projects strengthening our region. Stay tuned as we announce this year's nominees! 🏆

📅 Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026 | 5 PM
📍 E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron
🎟️ RSVP by Friday, Nov. 6: https://developmentfinanceauthority.org/groundwork-gathering

09/16/2026

The DFA team and members of our Western Reserve Community Fund Board had a great time at today's State of the County address. We are proud to work alongside the Summit County Executive's Office and other county leadership to bring investment, jobs, and opportunity to Summit County. There is a lot to be excited about in Summit County, and we are glad to have a role in it.

09/14/2026

Congratulations to suites_inc._akron on the grand opening! Openings like this are why the Western Reserve Community Fund exists: to help Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs get the capital they need to open their doors.

Our Senior Project Manager, Anna, joined the ribbon cutting to congratulate the Suites, Inc. team in person. Nothing beats seeing a project we helped finance open its doors!

Have a small business of your own? WRCF offers flexible loans for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank financing. Learn more at https://developmentfinanceauthority.org/wrcf

09/14/2026

Congratulations to Suites, Inc. on the grand opening! Openings like this are why the Western Reserve Community Fund exists: to help Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs get the capital they need to open their doors.

Our Senior Project Manager, Anna, joined the ribbon cutting to congratulate the Suites, Inc. team in person. Nothing beats seeing a project we helped finance open its doors!

Have a small business of your own? WRCF offers flexible loans for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank financing. Learn more at https://developmentfinanceauthority.org/wrcf

09/11/2026

The Groundwork Gathering is back!

Thursday, November 12 at 5PM, E.J. Thomas Hall.

One night celebrating the businesses, projects, organizations, and people laying the foundation for stronger communities in our region. Five awards. Five kinds of impact. And a brand new Groundwork Award for 2026!

Invitations are out. Reply by November 6. Details at https://developmentfinanceauthority.org/groundwork-gathering

09/10/2026

Low, predictable rates mean one less line item you have to guess at. WRCF microloans run 3% on average and never exceed 4%, from $10,000 to $50,000.

If your business or nonprofit is in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, or Wayne county, you're eligible. Start your microlending journey at https://DevelopmentFinanceAuthority.org/wrcf