News / Press Releases

With the help of St. Paul's Episcopal Church's funding of The Damascus Project, The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) will further expand its small business technical assistance for underserved communities in the City of Alexandria, VA.

ALEXANDRIA, VA–This past Monday, March 14, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and LEDC, with the presence of Mayor Justin Wilson from the City of Alexandria, unveiled a new project in the City of Alexandria titled The Damascus Project.

The Damascus Project is a $150,000 three-year commitment from St. Paul's Episcopal Church for LEDC to support minority entrepreneurs operating within city limits that require small business bilingual technical assistance and access to capital.

LEDC is committed to helping around 75 clients during the three-year time frame through its multiple Small Business Programs.

For instance, LEDC's Small Business Program Empowered Women's International (EWI) will run a three-month, sixty-hour online course called "Entrepreneur Training for Success," with applications currently open for the first course starting in Spring 2022.

"Entrepreneur Training for Success" will equip female entrepreneurs with the fundamentals of business ownership, strongly emphasizing financial literacy and leadership, enabling these women to impart their newfound wisdom to other women.

In contrast, LEDC's Lending Program will provide access to low-cost microloan capital for business launch and growth of new and existing minority-owned small businesses and 0% interest consumer loans for individuals looking to build credit.

Emi Reyes, LEDC's CEO, is grateful for this opportunity to increase LEDC's efforts in Alexandria, VA. "I want to thank Reverend Oran Warder, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and the entire church for entrusting us with their community. I look forward to the next three years of partnership as we work together to support the growth of local commercial corridors, catalyze job creation, and build assets among low-to-moderate-income residents of Alexandria."

For pictures of the March 14, 2022, event, click here:The Damascus Project Unveiling Event

For images with higher resolution, kindly reach out to [email protected]

About the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) equips Latinos and other underserved communities in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, Baltimore Metro area, and Puerto Rico with the skills and financial tools to create a better future for their families and communities. Participants in our programs learn how to buy and stay in their homes, join with their neighbors to keep their rental housing affordable, and start or expand small businesses.