Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago awards $15,000 grants to D’Arce Painting and Noe’s Landscaping
Funds sponsored by Central Credit Union Of Illinois support small businesses in local communities
Bellwood, IL - October 31, 2024 – This week, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) awarded Noe’s Landscaping and D’Arce Painting grants of $15,000 each through its Community First® Accelerate Grants for Small Business program. FHLBank Chicago offers grants of up to $30,000 to eligible small businesses to advance economic opportunity in the communities it serves. Noe’s Landscaping, which was founded in 2010, is owned by Noel Villalobos. In addition to offering landscaping and regular lawn-care maintenance service to local residents, the Hillside company also provides one-time cleanup, stone/paver work and snow removal services. Villalobos plans to use the grant for a heavy equipment purchase. The company employs local employees, and its services help to keep the community neat, clean and safe.
D’Arce Painting was also founded in 2010 and is in Aurora. Owned by David Arce Rodriguez, the company provides home improvement services including exterior and interior painting, deck design and building, power washing and staining of outdoor structures. They also offer tiling and grouting, drywall installation and
repair and full bathroom remodels. Rodriguez, who takes pride in employing workers who might not be able to find other types of employment, will use his grant to replace and upgrade equipment.
“Central Credit Union Of Illinois is proud to partner with FHLBank Chicago in its Community First Accelerate Grant program for our small business owners,” said Robert Anderson, President and CEO, Central Credit Union Of Illinois. “This is an amazing opportunity for CCUI to highlight our relationships with our small business owners. We understand how important it is to our members and the community to continue to provide financial assistance for our small business owners to thrive”.
Through FHLBank Chicago’s member institutions, like Central Credit Union Of Illinois, Accelerate Grants assist the growth and development of small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin. All grant recipients are small businesses that make a difference in their community, and funds are intended for the following purposes:
• The purchase or improvement of property
• The purchase of machinery, tools or equipment
• The purchase of inventory, materials, or supplies
• Workforce development or training
• New or upgraded technology
“Small businesses play an integral role in local communities in driving economic growth, from creating jobs to fostering community development,” said Katie Naftzger, Senior Vice President, Community Investment Officer, FHLBank Chicago. “As a leader in the housing and community development space, FHLBank Chicago
recognizes that affordable housing isn’t just about the homes themselves—it’s about ensuring entire communities have what they need to thrive, including economic opportunities for the residents and small businesses who call them home.”
The grant was sponsored by Central Credit Union Of Illinois – a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution headquartered in Bellwood. Established in 1936, the credit union provides savings, loan, investment and financial education programming and resources to its members from local communities and its many affiliated companies and organizations.
For more information on Accelerate Grants and eligibility, visit www.fhlbc.com.
About Central Credit Union Of Illinois
Central Credit Union Of Illinois is a state-chartered credit union headquartered in Bellwood,
Illinois. The credit union also has a branch in Orland Park and a location for investment
services in Hillside. Serving more than 10,000 members, the credit union offers
membership to Illinois residents and their immediate family members as well as the
employees of many affiliated companies and organizations. The credit union strives to help
members increase their savings, lower their borrowing costs and reduce fee expense while
also providing educational resources for its members and local communities. For more
information, please visit www.centralcu.org.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are
government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost
funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that
support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank
Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members,
including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and
community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please
visit fhlbc.com.
“Community First” is a registered trademark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
