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
Loan Applications
Loan Information Flyers
Microloans are designed for women, low-income, veteran and minority entrepreneurs in need of small amounts of financial assistance.
English Flyer
Español
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
Securing the Future
In the neighborhood of Conroe Bay, located in Willis, Texas, in Montgomery County just outside of Houston, the hum of…
Empanadas One 8: From Family Tradition to Business Triumph
Claudia Tomison and her daughter, Aranzazu Tapia, immigrated from Chile to the United States with a dream of building a…
From Denial to Dream
Melnika Hale has always been passionate about helping children succeed. This dedication led her to earn an associate…
Loan Grown
Sarah L. Hebert, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), is pursuing her entrepreneurial dream of building a successful…
Breaking Ground
JS&J Storage is charting a course toward innovation in renewable energy storage in Houston, Texas. Specializing in…
Bridging The Digital Divide In East Texas
In the small unincorporated community of Buna, Texas, Evergreen Technology Solutions is addressing one of the most…
Dreams Funded
Jason and Kasey Young have launched Chef J’s Flavor Station, a new food truck serving the Tulsa, Oklahoma, community…
Bringing Asia to Arkansas
In Jacksonville, Arkansas, Kusina Cuisine, an Asian-Infusion restaurant, brings a unique blend of diverse flavors to…
Pampered Pets
Groom Studio has brought a new level of high-end dog grooming services to Vidor, Texas. Owned by business partners Buck…
Farm Loan Boosts Growth
Communities Unlimited (CU) has launched a new Farm Lending Program designed to support small-scale farmers across its…
Sweet Ambitions
Dena’s Sweetly Unique Cakes, owned by Dena Reed and based in Beaumont, Texas, specializes in cakes, cupcakes,…
Featherland Legacy
In the open plains of Amarillo, Texas, Justin Trammell has built more than just a farm — he’s created a legacy. Tir…
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

Michael Rivera

Debra Williams

Jane Coffin

Chris Ranniger

Chris Tillman

Amber McClellan

Candence Brooks

Yessie Hernandez

Jesse Saldana

Director of Lending
Michael Rivera
Michael Rivera started Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Director of Nuestra Casa in April 2022. In January 2024, he was promoted to the Director of Lending. Michael provides leadership to a team of 7 employees. He handles the management of the loan process as well as Communities Unlimited’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program. The CDFI Program includes small business, consumer, and commercial portfolios with assets of $17 million.
Michael has a 15-year background in banking and finance. During his time as Director of Nuestra Casa, he led the Nuestra Casa program that offered small-dollar loans to people in the Colonias for home improvement projects.
He has an Associates of Arts Degree in Business Management and Marketing from Athens Technical College.
Phone:479.443.2700

Area Director of Lending
Debra Williams
Debra Williams, Area Director of Lending, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) 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.
Phone:405.250.9316

Loan Operations Manager
Jane Coffin
Jane Coffin is the Loan Operations Manager for Lending for Communities Unlimited. She started CU in a Small Business Association (SBA) Payroll Protection role.
Jane has 16 years of nonprofit experience and brings her office management skills to her role as Loan Operations Manager. Her duties include post loan management, compliance, and collections. She is responsible for monitoring line filings, financial statements, and insurance compliance. She assists the Director of Lending in producing weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports. 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.
Phone:479.380.5097

Senior Economic Development Loan Officer
Chris Ranniger
Chris Ranniger is a Senior Economic Development Loan Officer for Communities Unlimited (CU). On top of commercial loans, Chris also handles CU’s environmental lending. He meets with borrowers to develop relationships, helps them get all accurate documents, and ensures they are properly prepared for the loan process. He guides clients through the loan process and works with the loan committee to ensure that everything is ready for loan closing.
Chris has a retail management background and experience handling inventory and annual sales. Chris has a B.A. in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Chris works out of CU’s East Texas office.
Phone:936.404.4480

Economic Development Loan Officer
Chris Tillman
Chris Tillman joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in October 2021 as an Economic Development Loan Officer Small Business Development Lender.
He has an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. Chris has several years of experience in the loan, financial, and lending business.
Phone:479.380.5655

Loan Assistant
Amber McClellan
Amber McClellan, Program Assistant (Loan), originally 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 assisted with AHCC, Loan Closings, and more. She eventually moved into a full-time Loan Assistant position in 2022. In this role, Amber accepts and reviews new loan applications, answers client’s questions, files necessary paperwork, and performs other administrative duties.
Amber attended Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas, and is a graduate of Farmington High School.
Phone:479.236.4291

Small Business Lender
Candence Brooks
Candence Brooks started Communities Unlimited (CU) in September 2023 as an Economic Development Loan Officer (Small Business Development Lender). Candence meets with borrowers to develop relationships, helps them get all accurate documents, and makes sure they are properly prepared for the loan process. She guides clients through the loan process and works with the loan committee to ensure that everything is ready for loan closing.
Before coming to CU, Candence worked as a Business Consultant for the A-State Small Business and Technology Development Center. Candence has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Jonesboro. Candence lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Phone:479.595.5053

Loan Assistant
Yessie Hernandez
Yessie Hernandez started CU in September 2023 as a Program Assistant (Loan). Yessie assists the lending team by accepting and reviewing new loan applications, answering client questions, filing paperwork, and other administrative duties.
Yessie has an MBA in Business Administration and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Before coming to CU, Yessie worked as the owner and operator at her Mobile Notary Services business. Yessie assists the Lending Team with loan documents and loan closings.
Phone:479.856.4921

Loan Officer Nuestra Casa
Jesse Saldana
Jesse Saldana joined Communities Unlimited (CU) as the Loan Officer for Nuestra Casa in December 2024. Jesse lives in Brownsville, TX, and brings almost 20 years of experience as a Personal Banker at Wells Fargo to the position.
The Nuestra Casa program offers small-dollar loans for home improvement projects in the Colonias. Jesse manages consumer loans, assesses applicant eligibility, monitors payments, and ensures borrower satisfaction and timely repayment. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Pan American University.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Submit a complaint of discrimination, by mail to U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity , 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220, (202) 622-1160 (phone), (202) 622-0367 (fax), or email crcomplaints@treasury.gov (email).
Reasonable Modifications for Individuals with Disabilities
Reasonable modifications may be requested by emailing info@communitiesu.org or calling (479) 443-2700, or persons with speech or hearing impairment may call toll-free 1-800-877-0996 for service in English and Spanish.