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State & Local Legislative Partnerships

The Network is a trusted and respected organization that influences, educates, and informs on behalf of CDFI issues affecting low-to-moderate income owned small businesses, including those in rural areas, across the Commonwealth. Through advocacy and public policy efforts, the Network builds the capacity and expands the reach of its members to serve people and places facing persistent economic barriers throughout Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania CDFI Network works arduously with the Pennsylvania legislature, the Governor’s office, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA-DCED) in the best interest of small businesses.

CDFI Voice in Pennsylvania

CDFIs are the Network’s greatest advocacy resources in promoting the important role Community Development Financial Institutions play across Pennsylvania. Together, CDFIs work to protect, leverage, and grow scarce budgets, tax credit initiatives, bank and government investment, and advocate for legislation affecting CDFIs, including the Community Reinvestment Act, New Market Tax Credits, and the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program—while supporting low-to-moderate income communities and small businesses in both rural and non-rural regions. The PA CDFI Network serves as the collective voice of Pennsylvania’s CDFIs.

The Network preserves CDFI funding and resources in the best interest of small businesses, their workforce, and the communities they serve, particularly in economically distressed and rural areas. The Network advocates positively by influencing government policy through legislative advocacy, meetings, communication, and coordinated activities to deliver:

  • Education that empowers CDFIs and the communities they serve;
  • Protection and scaling of CDFI investment resources;
  • Monitoring and understanding of emerging issues and resources to advance microenterprises and small businesses facing financial access challenges; and
  • A unified voice supporting a stronger and more resilient CDFI and small business ecosystem across Pennsylvania.

As part of this broader advocacy effort, the Network also educates Pennsylvania residents, businesses, and legislators about the role CDFIs play in promoting accessible and sustainable community development, including in rural and economically distressed areas.