June 16, 2025
By Sandra M. Moore, Managing Director & Chief Impact Officer

At Advantage Capital, we’re actively working to catalyze economic growth that creates enduring, generational wealth in the communities that need it most. However, this doesn’t happen by chance. It takes a network of strategic partnerships deeply rooted in innovative approaches and community-centric outcomes to see measurable growth in communities that have historically been overlooked by traditional forms of capital.

Advantage Capital is dedicated to working with our partners across the country to combine growth capital and the strategic use of tax credits and other policy initiatives to get lasting change in these communities. Because of the complexity and scope of these efforts, the perfect mix of partners most often includes a wide array of disparate parties from investors to community organizations, to community financial institutions and local, regional, and state government leaders. But these broad-based partnerships with stakeholder groups are the essential ingredients for success.

The Power of Partnership

Through strategic collaborations with our partners, we are able to pursue investments that support small businesses, expand renewable energy, and increase affordable housing. Our Annual Impact Report digs deeper into our results and accomplishments across these sectors, including stories from the people and companies who have been driving change in their communities and market sectors.

Highlights from the Annual Impact Report:

Over the last year, more than 180 of our portfolio companies found nearly all employees (99%) receive health benefits and have access to wealth creation programs such as a 401(k). And roughly nine out of ten employees have access to training opportunities and hold jobs accessible to those without a college degree.

These results are a sampling of the achievements driving economic revitalization that our team witnessed last year. Behind the statistics are compelling stories of success in urban and rural regions alike in need of capital for growth.

A Look at Those Stories:

  • Pacha Soap, based in Hastings, Neb., is a standout example of one type of mission-driven business we support. With over 70 employees and plans to create 24 more jobs, it’s one of the city’s largest employers. Pacha offers starting wages above $15 an hour (well above minimum wage) with strong benefits, earning praise from the Hastings Economic Development Corporation (HEDC), which has provided over $500,000 to support Pacha’s growth. HEDC calls Pacha a “shining star” for its economic and community impact. The company shows how businesses can create jobs, support workers, and strengthen rural communities.
  • In Cynthiana, Ky., we worked with Commercial Specialty Truck Holdings (CSTH) to help provide nearly 300 high-wage jobs through the Kentucky New Markets Development and Federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) programs. It’s been part of our work since 2014 to help CSTH advance economic mobility for local residents–and the results show that it is common for workers to rise from entry-level roles to senior management positions through in-house training and mentorship.

In each of these examples, success was not defined solely by the deployment of capital. It was driven by the dedication and shared belief that with the right resources, every region and community can thrive. But the success stories would not be possible without the programs behind our partnership.

The Programs that Power Impact

Tax credit programs remain one of the most effective tools for unlocking private investment in undercapitalized regions. But they require deep, cross-sector collaboration to work effectively. Our partners’ ability to navigate these programs – and pair them with local insights, entrepreneurial networks, and state-level initiatives – makes all the difference.

  • In Texas, we are working closely to expand solar solutions through the region. The Sabanci Renewables’ Oriana Solar Project is one of the latest in a long and important partnership in driving lasting impact with the help of tax credits to strengthen communities and expand clean energy for a more sustainable future. To date, we have leveraged a $137 million tax equity investment in the project.
  • In Charlottesville, Va., a 100-home redevelopment is revitalizing the Kindlewood neighborhood and replacing outdated structures with the help of the Virginia Housing Opportunity Tax Credit program. Partnering with developers across the Commonwealth, to date, we have financed seven affordable housing projects in the state of Virginia, which will create and support more than 750 homes and units.

These initiatives are part of an overall investment portfolio in 2024 that included $230 million in small businesses, $627 million in affordable housing, and $1.9 billion in capital commitments to renewable energy. These achievements by our portfolio companies would not have been possible without the developers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and investor communities who make up our engagement network on behalf of communities.

As we look to the rest of 2025 and beyond, Advantage Capital remains steadfast in our commitment to foster continued growth in the communities we already serve. As we do so, our message to all our partners is thank you.

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Advantage Capital is an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Such registration, however, does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This release has been prepared for informational purposes and to announce a prior event, and nothing herein should be construed as an offer of investment advisory services or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities or investment product. All offers of investment interests in any fund or investment vehicle managed directly or indirectly by Advantage Capital are and will be made only to qualified prospective investors pursuant to separate and definitive offering and subscription documents in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Advantage Capital is an equal opportunity provider. The companies referenced herein represent a small sample of Advantage Capital’s investments that were selected solely to illustrate their community impact under state and federal tax credit programs. The profitability of any single investment was not a factor in the selection process. Nothing herein should be interpreted or construed as performance data of any kind, nor as any implication or statement that investments previously made by Advantage Capital were or are successful, or that past performance is any indication of future performance. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.