From the very beginning, our opening speakers framed the convening as an opportunity for hope and possibility. Carrie Cook, Vice President and Community Affairs Officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, captured the spirit of the convening, saying, “You all give me hope – you are what we are investing in.” That optimism was echoed throughout the two days as investors and alumni project sponsors engaged in candid conversations about the realities and rewards of investing in underserved communities.

The project pitches also left a hopeful impression. Bill Carson, Senior Vice President & Senior Business Development Officer for New Markets & Historic Tax Credits at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance reflected, “Every one of the projects was inspiring and impactful, and I look forward to keeping in touch with and—hopefully—supporting several.” That excitement was shared widely among investors after hearing directly from project sponsors about their visions and the investments needed to bring them to life. Chimeka Gladney, Senior Vice President, Truist Community Capital noted, “The program highlights high-quality opportunities in communities that may otherwise be overlooked.  This is a great venue for investors to come together to identify and share co-investing opportunities.”

For project sponsors, the convening was both a platform and a milestone. Beth Heile, who presented the Old Glory Mill project in Rhodhiss, NC, said, “I was blown away by the Investor Convening – presenting Old Glory Mill in such a special setting, connecting with investors eager to help small towns like Rhodhiss thrive, and seeing the momentum for revitalization. The follow-up conversations are already moving us closer to making it real.”

ACC’s President and CEO, Donna Gambrell, underscored the larger meaning of these exchanges: “Opportunity Appalachia is about more than transactions; it’s about revitalizing communities. What we saw here in Asheville is the power of local leaders, investors, and partners coming together to make that revitalization possible and create new opportunity in Central Appalachia.”

More than 50 participants also joined local project tours, visiting nearby sites including Smith Mill Works, a community business park focused on sustainable small businesses; the Balsam Mountain Inn, a historic restoration of a 48-room Inn nestled atop a mountain; and the West Marion Resilience Hub, a transformation of a former pre-integration school serving the Black community into a multi-racial community services hub. These visits provided a firsthand look at how investment can reshape spaces, fuel small business and job growth, and create inclusive opportunities for the future.

Since 2020, Opportunity Appalachia (OA) has supported 86 projects, collectively seeking over $750 million in financing and projected to create more than 4,300 jobs. To date, more than $150 million has already been raised from a variety of investors including banks, CDFIs, New Markets Tax Credit CDEs, Historic Tax Credit investors, impact investors, Opportunity Zone QOFs, philanthropies, and public lenders and grantors. The 2025 Investor Convening built on that momentum, reminding participants that rural and small-market projects are not only investable, they are vital to the economic future of Central Appalachia.  The OA Impact Report is available here, and the 2025 Project Portfolio is available here.

About Appalachian Community Capital (ACC)

Founded in 2013, Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving member CDFIs across the 13-state footprint of Appalachia with a mission to increase small business lending across this underserved and primarily rural region. By providing capital, capacity building, and innovative programming to its members, ACC catalyzes entrepreneurship, opportunity, and growth in distressed communities. ACC has over 45 members who manage over $4 billion in total assets. Investors and supporters of ACC include: the Appalachian Regional Commission, US Treasury CDFI Fund, the Ford Foundation, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Truist, US Bank, Wells Fargo, Benedum Foundation, Dogwood Health Trust, Mastercard Foundation, and many others.

Opportunity Appalachia is a program of ACC.

Below are select photos from the event; more can be explored here.