Join us for an introduction to the New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) Program, a federal economic development tool that helps bring investment and financing to businesses and projects located in low-income communities. This session focuses on how NMTCs are used to fill financing gaps, support community revitalization, and make transformative projects financially feasible.

The presentation explains the key participants in an NMTC transaction, including Community Development Entities (CDEs), investors, lenders, and project sponsors, and provides a high-level overview of how tax credit equity is combined with traditional financing to support eligible projects. Attendees will also learn about project eligibility requirements, including community impact considerations, location requirements, and qualifying business activities.

Participants will gain insight into how NMTC financing can support a wide range of community-focused investments, including commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and community facility projects. The session highlights the potential benefits of NMTC financing, including flexible capital, below-market financing features, and the ability to pair NMTCs with other funding sources to advance impactful development projects.

Attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of the NMTC program and the knowledge needed to identify potential NMTC opportunities and engage in future discussions about using the program for community and economic development initiatives.

This webinar is presented by:

Monica Blanton: Monica Blanton helped launch and now leads the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) division for BrightBridge Capital, a certified CDFI and non-profit commercial lender focused on supporting economic development.

Monica has managed all aspects of NMTC operations for BrightBridge’s subsidiary CDE, River Gorge Capital, since their first allocation award in 2005. Under her leadership, the division has secured over $300 million in federal and $45 million in state NMTC allocations and deployed more than $260 million to date. She was also instrumental in the CDFI certification process and business expansion, which has resulted in raising more than $200 million of capital.

In addition to closing loans using River Gorge’s NMTC allocation in projects that positively impact their local community, Monica and her team provide consulting services, in which they have helped borrowers obtain and close approximately $150 million of NMTC financing from other CDEs, a role for which she has been dubbed a NMTC “Sherpa”. Monica also educates communities and organizations about the NMTC financing tool through individual and group presentations.

Outside of work, Monica enjoys spending time with family (including pets), and participating in outdoor activities, including gardening, hiking, and pickleball. As an alumnus of the University of TN – Knoxville, Monica enjoys supporting and following the Vols athletics.

‍Emma Wyatt: Emma is a Relationship Manager at TD Bank Community Development Corporation with an extensive background in community development, finance, and urban planning. She holds a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning, a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Publicand Urban Affairs, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economic Management from Virginia PolytechnicInstitute and State University.

Professionally, Emma has served as Chief Operating Officer and Program Manager at The Innovate Fund, where she provided strategic leadership and managed significant New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) allocations. Her prior experience includes working as a Community Development Specialist at People Incorporated of Virginia and as a Town Planner for the Town of Culpeper, Virginia.

Emma is an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certified professional and actively contributes tothe sector through various leadership roles, including serving as an Advisory Board member for 3 Roots CDE, Catalyst CDE Advisory Board Member, and Invest Appalachia Investment Committee member.

‍Jim Seifferet: Jim Seiffert is a distinguished corporate and business tax attorney renowned for his ability to address the complexities faced by his clients while proactively identifying and cultivating opportunities for their growth and advancement.

With more than thirty years of extensive experience, Mr. Seiffert specializes in areas such as venture capital financing, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, as well as general business and corporate law. He serves as a vital member of the firm’s corporate and tax practice groups. After dedicating over three decades to his former law firm, Mr. Seiffert chose to follow in the footsteps of his son, Jack Seiffert, by joining McBrayer. Together, they collaborate to foster the growth and prosperity of businesses and industries throughout the Commonwealth.