Commercial Insights
New Markets Tax Credits: What they are and how they work

Article

How this innovative program could help you build and grow to serve communities in need.

What are New Markets Tax Credits?

Whether in big cities or rural areas, nonprofits serving low-income communities face unique challenges. While the need for their services only grows, securing financing for capital projects to improve residents’ lives can be arduous.

To help ease the process, the federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program offers crucial gap financing for nonprofit organizations operating in low income, underserved communities which are seeking to expand. Activities may span a broad range, including but not limited to:

Health care
Access to healthy foods
Early childhood education/charter schools/universities
Workforce development training
Community facilities

Since the program began in 2000, more than $71 billion in NMTC financing has supported thousands of projects nationwide. For borrowers, the benefits can include lower interest rates and flexible and more favorable terms.

Yet, securing financing through NMTC isn’t automatic. Only certain organizations and projects qualify, and even those who qualify could feel daunted by the process or may even be unaware that the program exists.

Where to start?

While the NMTC Program is intended to provide the last piece of financing for your project, don’t wait until the last minute to start planning. A good place to start is by having a conversation with Regions’ NMTC professionals. Even if your project is still in the conceptual phase and months or years from breaking ground, we can help you evaluate whether your project might qualify and walk you through the NMTC benefits and requirements.

If you are new to the NMTC Program, you may be wondering about how it works. Does your organization and project qualify? What support and guidance do you need to move forward?

To find the answers to these questions, read our new article “Understanding New Markets Tax Credits” by Regions New Markets Tax Credit Practice.

Download a PDF of the full white paper here.