PART 2 Partnering to get the Development You Want – EQUITY + DEBT

Every project needs a capital stack, and small projects in rural communities often struggle to assemble one. Lenders want to see experienced developers, solid comparables, and meaningful equity. Many first-time and “accidental” developers have a great building and a strong vision, but not the track record or balance sheet that conventional financing expects.

This second webinar goes deeper on the two core building blocks of any project’s capital stack. Jim Heid will explain how debt and equity each work, who provides them, and what they cost. He will cover how lenders evaluate small projects, why developer equity matters so much, and where community-minded capital, such as local investors, mission-oriented funds, and CDFIs, can fit alongside traditional sources. Participants will also see where the gaps most often appear and how local governments and community partners can help close them without taking on the developer’s risk.

Whether you are a developer preparing to raise capital or a local leader trying to understand why promising projects stall, you will leave with a clearer picture of how the pieces fit together and where the community can make a real difference.