New Initiative Provides Auto Financing for Work and Education

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 3, 2009 -- The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Services along with the statewide organization Finance Fund are introducing the "Cars for Jobs and Diplomas" program. This new initiative is an effort to provide affordable used car financing and consumer assistance to approximately 60 low-income participants statewide. The Ohio Community Action Network will administer the program.

"Inadequate transportation is a major obstacle to finding and keeping a good job," said Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "We believe that the Cars for Jobs and Diplomas program will serve as a helping hand in giving Ohioans the opportunity to save for a car, access quality education, and travel to and from work."

The purpose of the Cars for Jobs and Diplomas Program is to provide qualifying participants an opportunity to purchase a vehicle enabling individuals to obtain or retain employment and/or education. The program serves as a financing component of local case management programs offered by agencies designated by the Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division, Office of Community Services.

The structure of this program will operate on a matching rate of 2:1. This means for every dollar saved in the participant's qualified savings account, it will be matched with two dollars into a reserve account. Eligibility for this program will be determined by the local case management agency.

"We were honored that the Ohio Department of Development reached out to us once again to assist in the development and administration of the Cars for Jobs and Diplomas program," said James R. Klein, CEO of Finance Fund. "This program will help families in distress take advantage of opportunities that will help move their lives forward."

  News Release Podcast Links
  Quote from Lt. Governor Lee Fisher:
  http://media.switchpod.com/users/marketingworks/CarsLtGovLeeFisher.mp3

  Quotes from James R. Klein, CEO of Finance Fund:
  http://media.switchpod.com/users/marketingworks/Cars2JamesKlein.mp3

  About Finance Fund

Finance Fund is a statewide nonprofit intermediary whose clients include community-based nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses serving low-income communities throughout Ohio. Finance Fund engages in creative approaches that build bridges between capital markets and economically distressed communities.

Since 1987, the Finance Fund has invested more than $95 million in housing, economic development, community center projects leveraging over $755 million. Partnerships have enabled low-income people access to 15,312 units of affordable housing, 8,991 full-time jobs, and 3,021 early care and education spaces (classrooms) for 69,326 children benefiting the lives of over 116,000 Ohioans.

About Ohio Department of Development

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.