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[[Image:CEII-Logo.jpg|right|CEII logo]]'''[[Community Enterprise Investments, Inc.]]''' ---- ('''CEII ''') is a not-for-profit community development corporation (CDC) based in Pensacola, Florida. We were It was first incorporated in [[1974 ]] as '''People Organized for Community Development ''' ('''POCD'''). We were , one of the original CDC's first CDCs funded by the U. S. [[Wikipedia:Office of Economic Opportunity|Office of Economic Opportunity]]'s "[[Wikipedia:War on Poverty|War on Poverty]]." in the late 1970's. CEII is governed by a 15 person community-based Board of Directors with several committees serving under them.

In 1980 we became the organization was renamed Community Equity Investments, Inc. In , changing again (to Community Enterprise Investments, Inc.) in 2003, we changed our name to better reflect our its primary mission - that of : investing in business and housing enterprises. So now we are Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. Where most CDC's pursue a single discipline, CEII is multi faceted. Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. is active in all phases of small and micro business lending as well as affordable rental and ownership housing. We have amassed an outstanding record of achievement in the past 34 years.

Most of CEII's rental and ownership housing is located in [[Escambia County, Florida]], and the city [[City of Pensacola]]. Our Its small/micro business loan programs operate in 22 counties of Northwest Florida and in the 30 Southernmost counties of Alabama.

----'Loan applications are available on line, or by calling the organization's office. Applicants MUST provide all requested information. CEII staff underwrite each completed loan application and examine applicants'credit history and available collateral. A relatively clean credit history and adequate loan collateral are required for all loans. All loans above $7,500 are reviewed for approval by the CEII Small Business Loan Committee and Micro Loan Programs''' by the board of directors.

CEII offers loans to start-up and expanding business enterprises ranging from $2,500 to $150,000. All loans are currently offered at an interest rate of nine percent (9%). Loans made to businesses located within Escambia County's designated redevelopment area (call for details) are made at eight percent (8%). These interest rates are non-negotiable. Terms can be for as long as ten (10) years, but are usually around five (5) years, depending upon the size and purpose of the loan. A two percent (2%) loan closing fee is charged on all loans with the exception of SBA micro loans on which no loan closing fee is charged. CEII staff and/or legal counsel prepare all loan closing documents and handle the actual closing itself. Loan servicing is handled in-house by CEII staff and all loan payments are made directly to CEII via an ACH (automated clearing house) payment process. Businesses applying for loans MUST already be located, or are planned to be located, in either our Northwest Florida or Southern Alabama target area. CEII does not offer grants or equity investments - ONLY business loans are available. Loan applications are available on line, or by calling our office. Applicants MUST provide all requested information. CEII staff underwrite each completed loan application and examine applicants' credit history and available collateral. A relatively clean credit history and adequate loan collateral are required for all loans. All loans above $7,500 are reviewed for approval by the CEII Loan Committee and by the board of directors. As of March 31, 2006 CEII completed 23 years of small and micro business lending with a cumulative total of 476 loans and a combined loan amount of well over $13 Million Dollarsmillion. CEII's cumulative job creation figure is now 1,639 jobs. CEII's extensive track record in small and micro business lending led to its designation by the US Treasury Department as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and the award of a $50,000 technical assistance grant. CEII's designation as a CDFI creates eligibility for a variety of bank funding resources under the CDFI's Bank Enterprise Award program. CEII presently operates four different small and micro business loan programs. ----'''Home Ownership'''

Since that time we have the organization has changed our its focus to doing only new construction on scattered sites in existing neighborhoods. Our Its philosophy has been that the new construction units cost virtually the same as the rehab units and they are far preferable maintenance wise to our the group's first -time home buyer clientele, as well as having a greater impact in revitalizing neighborhoods.

'''===Rental Housing'''===CEII has become a significant leader in the affordable rental housing market in the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. We They have now completed 175 units of scattered site rental housing which are managed in-house. CEII also participated as a partner in the development of 320 units of affordable rental housing on [[Blue Angel Parkway ]] in Western Escambia County ([[Stoddert Place]]).

 ==Board of Directors=={{colbegin}}*[[Link titleRonald Townsend]], chairperson*[[Deana Lewis]], vice chairperson*[[Gael Frazer]], secretary*[[James Ferreira]], treasurer*[[David Hawkins]]*[[Lumon May]]*[[Grace McCaffery]]*Woodrow Stallworth*William Byrd*[[Larry Strain]]*[[Brenda Trimble]]*[[Marie K. Young]]*Lester Smith*Samuel Horton{{colend}} ==External links==*[http://www.ceii-cdc.org/ ceii-cdc.org] – Official site [[Category:Community development organizations]]