Since 1955, MERCI has been providing life skills, developmental activities, and enrichment to individuals living with disabilities in the Eastside and San Gabriel Valley communities. MERCI's high level of service has attracted more demand for services than MERCI could provide. In 2010, MERCI launched a 3-phase redevelopment and expansion of its Monterey Park campus, which will allow the organization to nearly double its capacity to serve 240 clients and hire approximately 30 new staff. The project faced several delays and financing challenges, but Genesis LA was ultimately able to provide a $1.35 million loan to the project as well as provide New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing to fill a financing gap that prevented the project from completing all 3 phases. Construction is now underway (photo above shows multipurpose classroom building under construction) and the project is expected to be completed later this year. Genesis LA thanks the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) for partnering on this project. NFF also invested $1.35 million to finance MERCI's expansion. We also thank JP Morgan Chase, which served as NMTC investor.
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