The History of Renaissance Community Loan Fund
Hurricane Katrina in South Mississippi
Hurricane Katrina hit South Mississippi in August 2005. In the devastating storm’s wake lay some of the greatest structural devastation from a natural disaster in the history of the United States.
Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation
But amid the flooded ruins, hope found a way to float through the vision of several South Mississippi community and business leaders, organized as The Gulf Coast Business Council. The nonprofit group had the foresight to understand the key to the area’s recovery would be a unified effort focused on redevelopment. In mid 2006, the council created Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation to help rebuild the Mississippi Gulf Coast by bridging the gap in the need for safe and affordable workforce housing.
Renaissance Community Loan Fund
Since then, Renaissance Community Loan Fund has grown in capacity, reach, and product offering. Now rebranded as RCLF and offering services to the people of Mississippi and Alabama, RCLF has become a Community Development Financial Institution, been designated as an SBA micro-lender, certified as a Community Development Entity (CDE) and approved as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO).
RCLF helps make distinct improvements to the Mississippi and Alabama communities by promoting community and economic development. Our success has been marked by our ability to:
- Understand community needs
- Create a highly qualified team to meet those needs
- Develop a customized and thoughtful approach to the programs we implement and manage
- Proactively define and achieve short-term and long-term objectives for our programs
RCLF Milestones
August 2008
REACH Program Launches
The Regional Employer Assisted Housing Program is launched, funding 179 homes.
September 2011
Commercial Lending
Renaissance Community Loan Fund begins offering commercial loans to Mississippi businesses.
September 2015
SBA Microlender Award
Renaissance is selected as the only Mississippi-based SBA Micro-Lender.
January 2016
RCLF In-House Counseling & Training
Renaissance launches dedicated in-house financial counseling and training facility.
November 2016
NMTC Allocation
Renaissance is awarded $15 million New Markets Tax Credit Allocation.
March 2017
Renaissance Re-Brand
Renaissance is rebranded to “Renaissance Community Loan Fund.”
August 2017
Tupelo Expansion
RCLF expands to North Mississippi by opening an office in Tupelo.
May 2018
Jackson Expansion
RCLF expands to Central Mississippi by opening an office in Jackson.
March 2019
Grand Opening
RCLF holds a Grand Opening for a new, larger corporate office in Gulfport.
2020
Becoming a PPP lender
RCLF provides $1.3M to Mississippi small businesses as an approved Paycheck Protection Program lender.
2020
HUD Certification
RCLF becomes a certified HUD Housing Counseling Agency.
2021
Fannie Mae Grant Recipient
Fannie Mae grants RCLF a $50k grant to increase housing access in high-need rural and rural Mississippi counties.
2021
SBA Top Micro Lender Award
RCLF is awarded by the Small Business Administration for the Top Loan Volume and Top Dollar Microloan in 2021.
2022
SBA Top Micro Lender Award
RCLF is awarded by the Small Business Administration for the Top Loan Volume and Top Dollar Microloan for the second year in a row
2023
Expansion into AL
RCLF expands into Alabama, now offering our commercial and mortgage services in two states.
2024
Funding Success
RCLF is accepted into NeighborWorks America
RCLF receives $10M Bond Loan from OFN
RCLF receives SSBCI funds
In This Section
Resources
Mortgage Resource Center
Business Resource Center
Classes
Gulfport, MS
Hattiesburg, MS
Mobile, AL
