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The Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund (WMEF) provides financing and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the five counties of western Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1987, WMEF has provided financing to more than 325 small businesses and technical assistance to hundreds of entrepreneurs and firms in the region. A nonprofit community loan fund, WMEF works with banks and other lenders to enable financing for businesses that would otherwise be "unbankable." We collaborate with thirteen community development corporations (CDCs) and other local community organizations. WMEF serves the First and Second Congressional Districts in Massachusetts, which have a population of about 750,000 rural, urban and suburban residents. The districts include: Franklin County, Berkshire County, Hampshire County, Hampden County, parts of Worcester County and the cities of: Greenfield, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Leominster, Pittsfield, Springfield, Westfield WMEF's commitment to local business, its financial and technical support of the CDCs and its ability to bring funds to the region from outside sources combine to position it as a powerful and unique economic resource in the region. Federal authorities, foundations, private investors and micro-lending firms across the country recognize WMEF as one of the nation's premier and most successful community development financial institutions.