Travois New Markets and Indion Ventures provided new markets tax credit (NMTC) financing for a new 35,000-square-foot health and wellness center at Little Big Horn College (LBHC), the Crow Tribe of Indians' higher education institution, in Crow Agency, Mont. Travois supplied $8.8 million in NMTCs and Indion Ventures invested more than $2.3 million in equity for the $10 million facility, which will host the college's health and wellness education programs and exercise facilities. The center consists of a gymnasium, collegiate locker rooms, a cardio room, an aerobics gathering room, public lockers and restrooms, and other support spaces. Community members are also welcome to use the facility. The project created 98 construction jobs and will employ six full-time equivalent staff members when it opens in the fall. It is being constructed to achieve LEED Platinum certification and includes skylights, sun shading devices and rainwater detention.

Lowe Economic Development Company (LEDC) placed $31 million in NMTCs for three developments that the firm says will provide services to targeted low-income communities in San Diego, Calif. and Portland, Ore. The second redevelopment phase of Point Loma's former Naval Training Center received more than $11.2 million in NMTC allocation to convert it into the NTC Promenade, a $20 million cultural and arts education center that spans seven buildings. The project is part of a larger planned base redevelopment called Liberty Station. In Bankers Hill near downtown San Diego, LEDC allocated $13 million in NMTCs to help fund the $40 million Sharp San Diego Medical Office, a three-story medical and office facility that is designed to meet LEED Gold standards. Sharp, a not-for-profit health-care corporation, will offer primary, specialty and urgent care services to the primarily low-income community. LEDC also provided more than $6.7 million in NMTC allocation to support the Portland Development Commission's $16 million conversion of the former Globe Hotel into a new home for the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. The new facility is expected to allow the college to expand its affordable health care to a larger and underserved population while helping to revitalize the downtown core.

---

---

WNC & Associates provided $10 million in NMTCs to help finance the 1.6-acre New Brunswick Wellness Plaza in downtown New Brunswick, N.J. CityScape Capital Group, Empowerment Reinvestment Fund and Wells Fargo Community Development Advisors also contributed NMTCs for a total of $35 million in allocation for the $103 million project. Wellness Plaza includes the area's only full-service supermarket, a community fitness center and a public parking facility. The project is expected to bring more than 700 jobs to the city. The Fresh Grocer, a grocery store chain dedicated to providing healthy food at affordable prices, will operate the 49,000-square-foot supermarket, and the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center will include fitness equipment, an aquatic center, and dance and fitness studios. The facility will also offer free preventative health and wellness-related community events. In addition, the development will provide direct access to the New Brunswick Train Station. In addition to allocating NMTCs to the project, Wells Fargo & Company served as its equity investor.

Raza Development Fund (RDF) announced the closing of NMTC financing to create a permanent facility for the Excel Academy Charter School (EACS) in East Boston, Mass. EACS serves more than 220 students from the traditionally underserved communities of East Boston and Chelsea; 75 percent of its students are low-income. The financing allows the academy, which has been operating out of a strip mall next to a pharmacy, to purchase and renovate a 19,200-square-foot former parochial school. The facility features a 1,500-square-foot assembly hall and computer lab, and its design elements support special education and English language learner populations while providing ample classroom space. Chase served as the equity investor for the $8.9 million project. Additional funding included $4.7 million in Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, $300,000 of taxable bonds and grant contributions from Friends of Excel Academy Charter Schools. The project is expected to create 110 construction jobs and maintain approximately 40 permanent positions.

The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) announced that Donald Hinkle-Brown will become its president and CEO. Hinkle-Brown, who has served as acting president and CEO since June, formally succeeds Jeremy Nowak, who stepped down to head the William Penn Foundation.

---

---