Success Stories

When Mélodie Picard arrived in the small community of Phoenix, Oregon in 2018, she came with a determination to meet a niche, but growing demand for high-quality cheese made in America.

Reidsville is a small North Carolina community about twenty miles from Greensboro. Known as “Lucky City,” the residents have a simple motto: ‘live simply, think big.’

The dramatic landscapes of Inyo County, California make it a popular filming location, with more than 400 movies and countless television ads shot in the surrounding area. It is also a destination for outdoor enthusiasts who are drawn to its iconic locales, such as Death Valley and Mount Whitney. All of these visitors require fuel, food, and other supplies, a need upon which the Bishop Paiute Tribe are moving to capitalize.

“To grow is to prosper.” For the residents of Floyd County, Virginia, it’s more than just a motto emblazoned on the county seal. It’s a way of life, embedded in both the history and the culture of this rural community nestled among the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

Nancy Martinez, owner of Nide Jardin in Aurora, Illinois, opened her 2,400-square-foot plant and home decor store in August 2023 with assistance from a flexible loan from a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) supported by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

As the coronavirus pandemic kept families and friends apart, sending flowers became an appealing option to show loved ones that they were missed.

The coronavirus pandemic hit Hawaii’s tourist economy like the surf at Pe’ahi; almost overnight, visitor arrivals plummeted more than 99 percent.1 But the impact of the disaster was felt far beyond the normally crowded beaches and mega-resorts of Waikiki and Wailea. The requisitioning of Aloha Stadium’s parking lots to store unused rental cars partially displaced a popular community market.

In some rural parts of Eastern Oregon, the 1979 oil crisis wasn’t felt the same way it was in Seattle,...

Accessing healthy and affordable foods is an increasing challenge to many North Dakota residents. Much of the state is rural...