Finance: Banking on Conservation

The Conservation Fund picks up the pace—and promise—of local conservation. The Fund brings financial, real estate and technical expertise directly into communities not only acquiring land for conservation, but also investing in natural resource–based business and providing loans to local land trusts. With a 23-year track record, the Fund is a trusted partner, familiar with both ledger and landscape. By applying sound business principles to conservation, we help communities protect their natural legacy and local economy. We bank on conservation.

NATURAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND
www.ncifund.org Green entrepreneurs are on the rise—in the country, as well as the city. But rural entrepreneurs with businesses based on renewable natural resources, such as sustainable agriculture or forestry, have few sources of support. That’s where the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) steps in.

A subsidiary of The Conservation Fund, NCIF provides loans and investment capital to environmentally sustainable startups and expanding businesses in rural North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia and northeast Tennessee. We focus on projects that generate a financial return, create or retain jobs and enhance the environment.

When the corporate owners of Richwood Sawmill decided to shut it down, longtime employees Bill and Sharon Glasscock knew they had the experience to keep the West Virginia mill open for business. NCIF helped turn their vision into reality with a $50,000 loan for working capital and a grant to develop an accounting system. Laurel Creek Hardwood Inc. was launched – and 23 mill jobs were saved. Over the past several years, the company has upgraded its equipment, reducing waste while increasing production by 25 percent. In a milestone of success, the company has now repaid NCIF.