What the Project Is
Greenline is providing creative and flexible capital to foster community development and economic growth. With expertise across a variety of asset classes, Greenline has invested over $2.5 billion in underserved businesses and communities nationwide. Over 99% of these investments have been located in highly distressed communities…and it’s estimated that such investments have generated more than 30,000 jobs to date. Projects supported include innovative restaurant models, electrification of vehicle fleets, heritage candy manufacturing, sustainable book reselling, and in-home preschool education. Each initiative has its own story yet they all resonate with the common commitment to reinvigorate and create opportunities where they are needed most.
Main Benefit
- Over $2.5 billion invested in underserved communities
- More than 30,000 jobs created nationwide
- At least 20 new jobs projected with EveryTable’s expansion
- Minimum of 14 new full-time positions with Lightning eMotors – complete with Living Wage and benefits
- An estimated 75 new jobs to be generated by Hammond’s Candies
- 260 employees supported at Discover Books through enhanced working capital and website growth
- Sustained community impact and economic development through every project
EveryTable & Community Dining Innovation
EveryTable, based in Los Angeles, CA, is transforming the dining scene through a revolutionary restaurant model that offers healthy, made-from-scratch meals everyone can afford. Approximately one third of their locations are found within food deserts, ensuring that nutritious food is available at discounted prices in areas where access is most limited. Greenline’s financing has been instrumental in allowing EveryTable to expand its refrigerated vending machine line of business while providing essential working capital for operations and strategic growth. This buildout will support the opening of at least five new stores in underserved areas, and the hiring of staff and construction crews for tenant improvements, thereby creating at least 20 new jobs. The flow of capital here is as smooth as the meals they serve, and the positive local impact is both tangible and heartening.
Electrifying Fleet Modernization
Lightning eMotors, operating out of Loveland, CO, is driving change in the realm of fleet transportation. The company produces electric fleet vehicles ranging from medium and heavy-duty trucks to shuttle buses, passenger vans, and city transit buses. These vehicles are designed to enhance fleet safety and reduce operating costs. Their recent development includes a new product offering focused on converting trucks and buses to all-electric operation. With Greenline’s working capital financing, Lightning eMotors can now meet the financial demands of accounts receivable and inventory investments that are critical to growth. The infusion of capital is projected to create at least 14 new full-time jobs, each with a Living Wage and comprehensive benefits package, positioning the company as a pivotal player in the modern, sustainable transportation landscape.
Heritage and Sustainable Growth in Manufacturing and Commerce
Hammond’s Candies, with deep roots spanning over 100 years and a strong presence in Denver, CO (and Norfolk, VA), continues a proud tradition of candy manufacturing. Specializing in peanut candy, candy canes, lollipops, marshmallows, chocolate, and caramel, the company has become a cornerstone in its community. The infusion of a Greenline SBCF loan enables Hammond’s to refinance its existing debt, expand its marketing campaign, and support ongoing working capital requirements. This capital injection, strategically targeted in a severely distressed census tract, is expected to create an estimated 75 new jobs—a testament to the enduring power of local enterprise.
Discover Books, hailing from Baltimore, MD and founded in 2003, complements this narrative through its nationwide book resale business conducted primarily online. With an impressive track record that includes saving over 575 million pounds of books from landfills and donating $9.5 million worth of books to charitable organizations, Discover Books is on a mission to both preserve literary treasures and broaden access to affordable literature. Greenline’s SBCF loan will facilitate working capital across its four existing warehouse locations and support its 260 employees. Additionally, the planned website buildout will enable the company to tap into higher-margin direct sales, bridging environmental sustainability with economic advancement.
Empowering Early Education and Community Resilience
Emmanuel STEM International, located in Aurora, CO, is a beacon of hope in educational innovation, offering an in-home preschool program that nurtures deep student engagement. The program delivers quality, research-based early childhood education to families that might otherwise miss out on high-quality learning opportunities. Recognizing the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses, Greenline stepped in with an Emergency Microloan that has helped sustain current employees and contractors while positioning Emmanuel STEM International for post-pandemic growth. This initiative not only secures the future of early education but also reinforces community resilience during times of crisis.
Project Impact
- SDG 1: No Poverty – Empowering underserved communities with essential capital
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Creating thousands of new jobs
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Pioneering electric fleet innovations and modern manufacturing
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Ensuring affordable meals and accessible education for marginalized populations
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Revitalizing distressed neighborhoods through strategic investments
Ongoing Community Engagement
The projects described illustrate a dynamic interplay between innovative business models and community-driven financial support. They highlight a trend where long-established heritage businesses and emerging startups alike are receiving the capital they need to not only survive but thrive. Greenline’s investments echo through every local restaurant, electrified bus, candy factory, book warehouse, and preschool classroom—each creating ripples of economic stability and social progress. The narrative of each project is interwoven with community values and the understanding that every dollar invested has the power to rebuild neighborhoods and redefine success in a rapidly evolving economic landscape… This ongoing engagement stands as a model for sustainable development and community empowerment.
