Zephyrhills, FL – Prestamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa, is pleased to announce an $8.5 million New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to finance the equipment and working capital needs of a 160,000 square-foot food manufacturing facility and warehouse located in the severely distressed community of Zephyrhills, Florida. The project supports the expansion of Bauducco USA Holding Company, a Brazilian food manufacturer founded in 1950.

The facility is the first manufacturing user within the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park, a Ready Site developed by the City of Zephyrhills and Pasco County to attract stable manufacturing employers and diversify the local economy.  Bauducco’s operations are focused on the production of biscuits, wafers, breads, and specialty baked goods.

Bauducco is expanding its domestic manufacturing capacity in direct response to escalating import and tariff costs, which have driven significant incremental cash expenses and consumed capital that would otherwise have funded the project. NMTC financing will fill the resulting capital gap, providing the flexible, below-market capital needed to equip the facility and fund the working capital required to bring the operation online.

Without this financing, the Sponsor would have been required to defer critical equipment investments, delay the planned opening and hiring timeline, or reduce the operational scope of the project.

The site anchors a planned multi-phase development expected to support up to 600 jobs at full buildout. The investment is expected to create and retain approximately 122 full-time jobs within the severely distressed community, of which 109 (89%) will be accessible to low-income persons, at a weighted average wage of $26.86 per hour, and to support an additional 186 temporary jobs.

Of these permanent jobs, 100 (82%) will be accessible to individuals with barriers to employment, including limited language proficiency, lower levels of education, longer terms of unemployment, and displaced workers.

“This project reflects our mission to finance impactful investments that create quality, accessible jobs in distressed communities. Bauducco’s expansion strengthens domestic manufacturing capacity, brings meaningful employment opportunities to the Zephyrhills community, and demonstrates the kind of catalytic economic impact NMTC financing is designed to deliver,” said Jose Martinez, President of Prestamos CDFI.

The food manufacturing site is located in a severely distressed census tract, where median family income is 70% of the area benchmark, unemployment runs at 1.93 times the national rate and only 29.2% of Pasco County residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 34.1% statewide and 35.7% nationally.

By recruiting a food-related manufacturing employer to an area historically reliant on retiree-oriented industries and lower-wage hospitality jobs, the project is expected to catalyze additional private industrial investment across the nearly 80-acre site, expand the local tax base, and strengthen the region’s long-term economic resilience.

Pacesetter CDE, Inc. and BBIF Capital, Inc. provided an additional $15 million in NMTC allocation to complete the project funding.   Prestamos CDFI is an eight-time NMTC award-winning allocatee serving Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Puerto Rico, and Texas.

About Prestamos CDFI

Prestamos CDFI is a Community Development Financial Institution and a Community Development Entity that provides small business loans and high-quality technical support services to its clients. Prestamos partners with the most recognized organizations in our target markets including the CDFI Fund, U.S. Small Business Administration, NALCAB, SCORE, and State, County and Local Economic Development Authorities. Prestamos CDFI is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Dumas, TX – Prestamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa, is pleased to announce a $5 million New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the working capital needs associated with the expansion of services and patient capacity at Memorial Hospital, a rural critical access hospital and health clinic serving in Dumas, Texas, and surrounding communities in Moore County.

Located in a severely distressed community, Memorial Hospital has been the sole hospital provider for rural Moore County and parts of neighboring Hartley, Sherman, and Dallam counties in the Texas Panhandle since the 1940s.  The hospital provides essential healthcare services, including 24-hour emergency care, Level IV trauma services, obstetrics, inpatient and intensive care, and long-term nursing and rehabilitation services within a designated Health Professional Shortage Area.

Following a facility expansion completed in 2020, Memorial Hospital’s outpatient space no longer meets growing demand. The hospital continues to expand its healthcare offerings, including the addition of a nephrology clinic that opened in January 2026. NMTC financing will provide the flexible capital needed to support increased patient volumes, expand specialty care, strengthen operations, and sustain critical healthcare services for rural, low-income communities.

In Moore County, approximately one in five residents are uninsured. Of Memorial Hospital’s patients, 56% rely on self-pay and 2% are covered by Medicaid, meaning 58% of patients are served through income-based payment sources. An additional 16% of patients are covered by Medicare. As a rural nonprofit hospital with limited access to traditional financing, Memorial Hospital faces increasing working capital needs as demand for services, staffing requirements, and operating expenses continue to grow.

Jose Martinez, President of Prestamos CDFI, stated, “This project reflects our mission to finance the essential infrastructure that keeps quality healthcare accessible in rural, underserved communities. Memorial Hospital has been a lifeline for Moore County for more than eighty years, and this financing will help ensure that thousands of patients across the Texas Panhandle continue to have access to the care they need.”

Once completed, the project is expected to serve approximately 59,000 unique patient visits annually, an increase of roughly 10,000 from current volume.  Of those patients, an estimated 33,040 (56%) will be Low-Income Individuals and 31,270 (53%) will be Low-Income Community Residents.  The expansion will help ensure continued access to essential healthcare services for thousands of patients across rural Moore County and surrounding communities.

The investment is also expected to create 10 new full-time jobs and retain 318 existing full-time positions with a weighted average wage of $36.06 per hour.  This exceeds Prestamos’ quality wage benchmark of $21.25 per hour which is 110% of the $19.32 MIT Living Wage for one adult in Moore County, Texas.

The project is located in a severely distressed, non-metropolitan census tract, where median family income is 71% of the area benchmark and unemployment runs at 2.31 times the national rate. The community is also designated as both a Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area.

As the region’s only hospital provider, Memorial Hospital plays a critical role in ensuring healthcare access across rural communities in the Texas Panhandle. The hospital has been recognized as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and ranks among the nation’s top-performing rural hospitals. Through its Foundation, Memorial Hospital has awarded more than 500 scholarships since 2017 to local students pursuing nursing and allied health careers, helping build a long-term healthcare workforce pipeline in the region.

Texas LIC Development Corporation LLC and TransPecos Development Corporation provided an additional $24 million in NMTC allocation to complete the project funding. Prestamos CDFI is an eight-time NMTC award-winning allocatee serving Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Puerto Rico, and Texas.

This investment builds on Chicanos Por La Causa’s longstanding commitment to the Texas Panhandle, where the organization has supported underserved communities through programs that address critical needs, including early childhood education, healthcare access, and economic opportunity. Through Prestamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa, the organization continues to advance its mission by investing in essential services and infrastructure that strengthen communities. As part of this broader commitment, CPLC’s Early Childhood Development programs operate 13 centers across Texas, three of which are located in the Texas Panhandle, reflecting the organization’s continued investment in creating pathways to stronger, healthier communities.

 

About Prestamos CDFI, LLC

Prestamos CDFI is a Community Development Financial Institution and a Community Development Entity that provides small business loans and high-quality technical support services to its clients. Prestamos partners with the most recognized organizations in our target markets including the CDFI Fund, U.S. Small Business Administration, NALCAB, SCORE, and State, County and Local Economic Development Authorities. Prestamos CDFI is an equal opportunity provider.

April is Financial Empowerment Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of financial education to promote smart money habits and build long-term financial security. This is especially important for small business owners. While entrepreneurs are often driven by their passion to create, be their own boss, and build the business of their dreams, they also face the challenge of managing their finances. But you don’t have to take that task on your own!

Here at Prestamos CDFI, our team of Business Advisors and Lending Experts is here to help you understand your finances, access capital, and make informed decisions to help invest in and grow your business. 

In celebration of Financial Empowerment Month, we asked our team for their top five financial tips for small business owners to help get you on the right path towards financial literacy, independence, and security. 

1. Separate Business and Personal Accounts: 

One of the most common mistakes early-stage entrepreneurs make is keeping all their expenses – business and personal – in one account. While it may seem convenient at first, this strategy can really hurt you in the long run. 

Set your business up for success from the start by separating your accounts and opening a dedicated business account. This will help you stay organized and make tax time much easier!  

2. Pay Yourself First  

You started a business to make money, so make sure you pay yourself first! Paying yourself first includes ensuring you are compensating yourself accurately for your time and effort, as well as putting money aside in a savings account for future investments. 

When you are building out your monthly budget, make sure you are the first expense you account for. From there, you can establish what you have to spend onother business expenses and costs.  

3. Know Your Cash Flow 

Cash flow is one of the most important figures you need to know for your business. It is defined as the amount of money coming in and out of your business over a certain period of time. Generally, this figure is used to determine the financial health of your business. A simple way to think of your cash flow is: 

Cash Inflows (Revenue) – Cash Outflows (Costs) = Cash Flow 

In simple terms, cash flow helps to determine whether your business is profitable, or if you’re operating in the negative and at risk of possible bankruptcy. Knowing your cash flow is especially important if you’re looking to get access to loans or other types of financial infusions.  

4. Stay Organized 

We know you have a million things to track as a small business owner, but prioritizing your finances is key to ensuring the long-term success of your business. Be sure that you are tracking your expenses, sales/earned income, tax liabilities and other key financial figures on a regular basis – monthly is recommended. 

Also be sure to have a designated place and system for any important documents, such as licenses, tax forms, and receipts. This will not only help you during tax season, it will also help immensely if you are ever applying for a loan or working with investors.  

5. Check Your Credit Often 

Credit is one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal. While you may not have the funds to invest in your business yourself, a strong credit score helps potential lenders determine their risk level when working with you. A strong credit score can lead to better terms, stronger relationships, and can protect your personal credit. 

You can check your credit score easily by using free online resources and then use that to make informed decisions on how to improve or maintain your credit. 

If you’re ready to take your financial literacy and business acumen a step further, but aren’t sure where to start, now’s the perfect time to schedule a call with our team of experts. Our Prestamos Business Advisors are here to help you understand your business, your financials, and the steps you can take to grow. 

Click here to tell us about your needs and get started today!  

PHOENIX – Prestamos CDFI, LLC, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa, has been awarded $90 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.Prestamos is a Community Development Entity that provides capital to businesses and community facility projects in highly distressed, low-income communities in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, California and Puerto Rico. Prestamos has received seven previous awards totaling $300 million.

Founded in 2000 by community development corporation Chicanos Por La Causa, Prestamos supports low-income businesses and communities by providing resources and services, dedicating 100 percent of its investment activities to disadvantaged populations.

“We are grateful for the CDFI Fund’s recognition of our work through this NMTC award,” said Jose Martinez, President of Prestamos CDFI. “Our mission is rooted in promoting economic prosperity and essential services in low-income communities across AZ, CA, NM, NV, PR, and TX. This award enables us to continue investing in projects that create quality jobs through domestic manufacturing and reliable job-producing small businesses, while also expanding access to essential community health and education infrastructure.”

 

The NMTC Program attracts private capital into low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for making investments on qualified projects within economically distressed communities. Created by Congress in 2001, the credit totals 39 percent of the original investment amount and is claimed over a period of seven years. This award is part of a $10 billion NMTC allocation authority package announced this week by the CDFI Fund. Federal data show that for every dollar of allocation provided under the NMTC program, an additional $8 of private investment is leveraged for the economic development of these communities.

What began as a small team managing Chicanos Por La Causa’s Economic Development department throughout rural Arizona has grown into a powerful champion for small business and community investments across the Southwest. As we celebrate 25 years of Prestamos, and reflect on our milestones as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we honor the programs, people and partnerships that have shaped our impact. 

 

Expansion into New Markets 

After becoming a certified CDFI in 2000, Prestamos strengthened its commitment to delivering meaningful economic opportunities to small businesses and underserved communities. This certification enabled Prestamos to operate as a private-sector financial intermediary with a mission centered on community development. From that point forward, our team worked closely with small businesses in both in rural and urban areas, while also focusing on supporting entrepreneurs in lower-income economic areas and communities often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. These efforts brought long-term economic benefits to families, communities and our entire state.  

Still, we knew our mission could reach further. 

 

In 2010, CPLC expanded outside of Arizona for the first time by launching operations in Nevada – with Prestamosleading the way. This expansion allowed us to serve entrepreneurs statewide with access to capital and small business technical advising – increasing both our footprint and our impact. Through programs such as the Clark County Technical & Economic Assistance, the Credit Builder Program and the Minority Business Development Agency, we grew our presence in  both the Las Vegas area and in Northern Nevada, helping business owners gain the support needed to thrive.  

Over the following years, CPLC and Prestamos continued its regional expansion – growing into Texas, New Mexico and California. Through New Market Tax Credit Investments, financial assistance programs and technical support initiatives, we have deepened our impact across the region, ensuring more entrepreneurs have the opportunity tobuild and sustain their businesses. 

 

Technical Assistance Program 

One of the key distinctions of Prestamos is our robust and comprehensive technical assistance (TA) programs. Our support for small business owners does not end with helping entrepreneurs access to capital. We provide a fullnetwork of resources designed to guide, educate and empower business owners at every stage of their journey. 

 Our team of Business Advisors provide individualized mentoring, coaching and guidance on business planning, financial projections, marketing strategies, and more. This integrated approach ensures that business owners are successful from concept to launch –  preparing them for capital investments when they’re ready to grow.  

A major milestone came in 2019, when Prestamos CDFI received its first major Technical Assistance (TA) grant through the Office of Community Service – Social Enterprise (OSC-SE). This grant helped Prestamos expand its capacity to support mission-driven social enterprises focused on creating positive community impact through their products, services and employment practices. It also enabled Prestamos to establish its first full-time TA role, marking an important step in building a dedicated support infrastructure. 

In 2021, our technical assistance efforts grew again with a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration through the SBA-Tech program. From FY2021 to FY2024, Prestamos delivered technical support to more than 8,000 micro-entrepreneurs, providing hundreds of trainings focused on financial literacy, marketing, and business strategy. With a dedicated team of bilingual professionals, Prestamos ensures that every entrepreneur has access to the tools, mentorship and confidence needed to succeed.  

Through the SBA-Tech Program and our broader TA initiatives, Prestamos continues to remove barriers to opportunity and foster lasting economic empowerment across the communities we serve. 

 

PPP Impact 

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, small businesses across our communities faced unprecedented hardship. The economic shutdowns left  business owners stuggling to cover expenses, retain employees and keep their doors open, forcing some to face bankruptcy or closure. Guided by our mission and deep commitment to community, Prestamos mobilized quickly to meet this urgent need.   

As the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) rolled out, our team worked around the clock to support business owners in need. The impact was historic. 

In 2021, CPLC Prestamos CDFI was recognized as the #1 U.S. Small Business Administration PPP lender in the nation by number of loans, and #3 lender by total dollar volume. Our team processed $7.6 billion in approved loans through the program, with an average loan amount of $15,526 — and 78% of those loans served minority-owned businesses. 

In May 2024, Prestamos CDFI was honored once again – recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Microlender of the Year for the 2023 fiscal year by the Arizona District Office. This award underscored our continuedcommitment to supporting small businesses in our community — especially those that face barriers to traditional financing, including those with limited collateral or credit challenges. 

 

Continuing The Journey 

Over the past 25 years, Prestamos has grown from a small Arizona-based team focused on expanding access to capital to overlooked communities, into a dynamic, multi-state organization offering capital, technical assistance, investments and long-term support to entrepreneurs across six states.  

We have witnessed firsthand how investing in small businesses creates jobs, strengthens communities and buildspathways to generational wealth.  

As we look forward to the next 25 years and beyond, we remain committed to our mission and to strengthening our role as a leader in economic development. Prestamos will continue expanding opportunity, empowering entrepreneurs and building a more equitable economic future for all.