Latino Nonprofit Earns $800,000 Grant for South Omaha Businesses

Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) (midlandslatinocdc.org) has received an $800,000 grant to be used to grow South Omaha businesses and create nearly 50 new jobs. The Office of Community Services of the Health and Human Services awarded the grant, intended for organizations that serve low-income individuals and families by means of growing businesses within their communities, as part of the Community Economic Development – Healthy Food Financing Initiative (CED-HFFI).

MLCDC plans to use the grant funds in the following ways:

  • $560,000 to develop Las Americans Kitchen Express into a fully equipped, commercially licensed kitchen for use by start-up or expanding food production businesses, including Melina’s Salsa, Chips and More and Chef Mario’s Inc., creating 10 new jobs
  • $70,000 equity investment in Melina’s Food LLC to develop a tortilla factory, creating 12 new jobs
  • $70,000 equity investment in Little Miss Fashion, a clothing manufacturer, to expand its production, creating 14 new jobs
  • Twins Daycare will receive technical assistance to develop a second site, creating 10 jobs
  • $100,000 to be used to administer the MLCDC programs and provide technical assistance to support the creation of jobs by participating businesses

Las Americas Global Market (South Omaha Mixed Real Estate Project), located at 5025 S.33 St., will serve as the site for business development and job creation that will support the economic and social integration, and ultimately the financial independence, of low -income and minority families.

Partners working with MLCDC include: Community Investment Opportunities (CIO); Nebraska Departments of Labor Economic Security and Health and Human Services; Small Business Administration; AIM Institute; Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership; Wells Fargo Bank; Valley Economic Development Center; Nebraska for Solar, Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund; Professional Associates Ltd. (Architect); Solar Heat & Electric, Omaha Power Public District, NALCAB and Conexion Americas.

For more information, contact Marta Sonia Londoño Mejia at mlondono@midlandslatinocdc.org or (402) 850-0968.

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