Expanding economic opportunities for underserved people and communities by providing access to the capital needed to prosper
LENDING
Communities Unlimited is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).We expand economic opportunities for underserved people and communities by providing access to the capital they need to prosper. We offer a variety of lending opportunities for small businesses, water/wastewater needs, and housing.
Communities Unlimited makes loans to small businesses to position them for profitable growth leading to new jobs and local economic development. With loans of $1000 to $100,000, we fill gaps in small business financing. Below is additional information about how you can connect with our lending staff to inquire about a small business loan.
Communities Unlimited was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2001. Communities Unlimited has over $16 million in assets and has made over $45 million in loans to small rural communities and small businesses in 24 states.
Small Business Loans
Apply for a Small Business Loan
- Faster to complete
- Determines Eligibility
- Requires submission of less documentation
- Is not a complete loan application
- Need to complete the FULL application to complete the application process
- Download the application for loan requests $20,000 and under (PDF)
- Download the application in Spanish: Descarga la solicitud para préstamos de $20,000 y menos (PDF)
- It takes additional time to complete.
- You will need to submit related documentation.
- This is a loan application.
- You will receive a response about approval for financing, terms and conditions as relevant.
- Download the application: Loan Request greater than $20,000 (PDF)
- Download the application in Spanish: Descarga la solicitud para préstamos mayores a $20,000 (PDF)
Loan Information Flyers
We make loans to small businesses to position them for profitable growth with funding provided by Wells Fargo. See more about our loan products
Microloans are designed for women, low-income, veteran and minority entrepreneurs in need of small amounts of financial assistance. See more about the SBA Microloan Program
We make loans to small businesses to position them for profitable growth leading to new jobs and economic development. See more about our small business loans
LENDING STORIES
Arkansas CDFI Coalition
The following is a guest post from Deborah Temple with the Arkansas CDFI Coalition: The Arkansas CDFI Coalition is a…
A LEAP OF FAITH TAKES A MEMPHIS ENTREPRENEUR ON A GLORIOUS JOURNEY
Kristen Porter wanted to have her clothing line be an expression of her faith. Her personal journey woven into the…
TEXAS FAMILY RECEIVES RUNNING WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES
Eyeka Davis from Madisonville, Texas knows all too well about the daily struggles to provide for her two disabled…
CU Comes to the Rescue as Old West Mobile Home Park Faces Hurdles
Old West Mobile Home Park is a small mobile home park community and water system that is located off McCormick Road on…
Where Are They Now: PA Coaching and Consulting
This month marks the one year anniversary of Paula Anderson receiving a small business loan from Communities Unlimited…
Nacogdoches, TX Restaurant Owner Receives Loan to Open New Restaurant
Old Tyler Road Café LLC is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and is the home of delicious foods and great music. According…
Central Arkansas Pressure Washing Company Owner Makes Plans for His Growing Business
William Traylor is the founder and owner of 3-i Pressure Washing and Detail LLC., a full-service mobile detail and…
Dedication and Determination Guide Mrs. B On The Keys To The Tune Of Success
Emily Brandon is a popular figure in the Jackson, Mississippi, community. Her 17-year background as a public-school…
East Texas Municipal Utility District (MUD) Obtains New Equipment
Tyler is in Northeast, Texas and is the largest city in Smith County. The city has a population of around 106,000…
A.K. Williams Construction, LLC
Austin Williams is a native Louisianan, from Dry Prong, LA., who has been in the construction industry for 10 years. In…
Chef Yates Catering and More
Chef Christopher Yates is no stranger to the world of food. After graduating from culinary school, he has spent the…
Full Lock Drift, LLC. – A Hobby Becomes a Lifestyle
Michael Mansfield from Edmond, Oklahoma started participating in full lock drift events in 2016, in between his…
Water & Wastewater Loans
Communities Unlimited offers financing to rural communities and tribal nations to improve and maintain their drinking water and wastewater systems.
Eligibility includes local government, nonprofit corporations, and tribal nations that,
- Serve a significant number of low-income customers;
- Population of < 20,000;
- Have the cash flow for debt service or have permanent takeout financing; and,
- Are willing to accept no-cost technical assistance if needed.
Emergency Financing
In the event of a natural disaster or catastrophic system failure, emergency loans can be processed within 1 – 3 business days.
Rural Community Resources
- Info sheet in English: Rural Community Water & Wastewater System Loans (PDF)
- Info sheet in Spanish: Prestamos de Agua y Aguas Residuales (PDF)
- Loan Application: Rural Community Water & Wastewater (PDF)
- Spanish Loan Application: Solicitud de Prestamo Para Proyectos de Agua/Aguas Residulas (PDF)
- Technical assistance is available for:
- Assessments for CDBG Applications
- USDA Facility Financing: Technical assistance cost may be substantially or completely subsidized by CU's funding from USDA.
- Assessment Info sheet in English: Private Well Owner Assessment Program (PDF)
- Assessment Info sheet in Spanish: Evaluacion de Pozos de Agua en el Hogar (PDF)
- Septic System and Water Well Financing Info sheet in English: Household Septic System and Water Well (PDF)
- Septic System and Water Well Financing Info sheet in Spanish: Prestamos para Sistemas Septicos Domesticos y Pozos de Agua (PDF)
- Septic System and Water Well Loan Application in English: Household Septic System and Water Well Loan Application (PDF)
- Septic System and Water Well Loan Application in Spanish: Aplicacion de Sistemas Septicos Domesticos y Pozos de Agua (PDF)
- Info sheet in English: CU Rural Community Facility Financing (PDF)
- Info sheet in Spanish: CU Prestamos Para Instalaciones Comunitarias (PDF)
- Download the Application: CU Rural Community Facility Financing (PDF)
- Download the Application in Spanish: CU Solicitud De Prestamo Para Instalaciones Comunitarias (PDF)
- Technical assistance is available for:
- Assessments for CDBG Applications
- USDA Facility Financing: Technical assistance cost may be substantially or completely subsidized by CU's funding from USDA.
Eligibility includes local government, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other Federally-recognized Indian tribes that,
- Serve a significant number of low-income customers;
- The population of the service area cannot exceed 10,000;
- The loan amount cannot exceed $200,000 or 75% of the total cost of a project. The total amount outstanding for all loans to one entity shall not exceed $200,000;
- Term cannot exceed 10 years;
- Loan recipient must meet test for credit;
- Loan recipient must have legal authority to own, construct, operate, and maintain the facility, and for giving security for and repaying the proposed loan;
- Have the cash flow for debt service or have permanent takeout financing; and,
- Are willing to accept no-cost technical assistance if needed
Nuestra Casa

Small dollar loans to people in the Colonias for home improvement projects
- Info sheet in English: Nuestra Casa Home Improvement Loans (PDF)
- Info sheet in Spanish: Préstamos para Mejoras en el Hogar de Nuestra Casa (PDF)
- Download the Application: Home Improvement Loan Application (PDF)
- Download the Application in Spanish: Solicitud De Prestamo para Mejoras del Hogar (PDF)
Lending Team

Bryn Bagwell

Debra Williams

Jane Coffin

Michael Rivera

Kevin Tillman

Glenda Johnson

Chris Ranniger

Chris Tillman

Amber McClellan

Director of Lending
Bryn Bagwell
Bryn Bagwell, Director of Lending based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, began at Communities Unlimited in January 2021.
She leads the lending team and manages Communities Unlimited CDFI assets in support of mission-based lending. The CDFI includes small business, consumer and commercial portfolios with assets in excess of $17 million. She is also in charge of Communities Unlimited PPP lending program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She has extensive experience in banking and lending.
She has a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology-Religion and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She graduated from the Mid-South School of Banking in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1990 and the American Institute of Banking in Norman, Oklahoma, in Commercial Lending in 1992.
Email:bryn.bagwell@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700

Senior Economic Development Officer
Debra Williams
Debra Williams, Senior Economic Development Officer, joined Communities Unlimited in May 2021.
She is responsible for originating quality loans through internal and external referral sources. She also develops strategies to market the bank’s SBA and small business grant programs to entrepreneurs with financing needs. She came to Communities Unlimited with a strong financial background, from her previous roles as a Vice President/Loan Manager for Arvest Bank as well as Vice President of Commercial lending for RCB Bank.
Debra has a BS in Business Administration, Marketing Management Orientation from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.
Email:debra.williams@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 212

Program Assistant - Lending
Jane Coffin
Jane Coffin, Lending Assistant Communities Unlimited. With 16 years of nonprofit experience, Jane brings her office management skills to her role as Lending Assistant. Her duties include post loan management, compliance and collections. She has also increased the functionality of Communities Unlimited’s loan software. Jane monitors and reports on our current SBA profiles and assists in grant reporting and data management.
Email:jane.coffin@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 114

Consumer Loan Officer
Michael Rivera
Michael Rivera is a Consumer Loan Officer with a 15-year background in banking and finance.
He has an Associates of Arts Degree in Business Management and Marketing from Athens Technical College.
Email:michael.rivera@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700

Small Business Lender
Kevin Tillman
Kevin Tillman is a Small Business Lender for Communities Unlimited.
Kevin has two years of lending experience with Communities Unlimited and their mission of serving underserved communities perfectly aligns with Kevin’s philanthropic spirit.
Kevin attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management and Investments and minor in Business Management in May 2015
Email:kevin.tillman@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 115

Senior Economic Development Loan Officer
Glenda Johnson
Email:glenda.johnson@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 236

Small Business Lender
Chris Ranniger
Chris Ranniger is a Small Business Lender for CU.
He has a background in retail management and has experience handling inventory and annual sales. Chris has a B.B.A. in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University, in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Chris works out of CU’s East Texas office.
Email:chris.ranniger@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 258

Economic Development Loan Officer
Chris Tillman
Chris Tillman came to Communities Unlimited in October of 2021 as an Economic Development Loan Officer.
He has an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. Chris has several years of experience working in the loan, financial and lending fields. Chris is also an active member (Coach) of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Youth Sports
Email:chris.tillman@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700

Loan Assistant
Amber McClellan
Amber McClellan came to Communities Unlimited in July 2018 as a Receptionist and moved up to Program Assistant in April 2019. In 2020, Amber became the Executive Assistant to the CEO and assists with AHCC, Loan Closings and more.
Amber attended Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas, and is a graduate of Farmington High School.
Email:amber.mclellan@communitiesu.org
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 135