Anchor the Block is a Local Return program that prepares small business owners to purchase and own their commercial real estate, especially in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Through workshops and one-on-one support, business owners learn why ownership matters, the range of paths to get there — from a traditional bank loan to cooperative models like community land trusts and shared-ownership funds — and the real steps, timeline, and financing it takes to move from renter to owner.
In 2022, the median White household in America held $284,310 in wealth — more than six times the median Black household ($44,100) and over four times the median Hispanic household ($62,120). In Providence, that gap has a zip code: Olneyville’s median household income is $25K with a 45% poverty rate; the East Side, a few miles away, is $140K and 4%. Anchor the Block exists to put one of the strongest wealth-building tools a main street small business owner has — owning their own commercial space — within reach in the neighborhoods where that gap is widest.
For this program we’re partnering with Rhode Island community organizations to reach small business owners — especially those in, or looking to move into, historically disinvested commercial corridors — to teach how cooperative ownership models and the Local Return Diversified Community Investment Fund’s gap financing can put commercial real estate ownership within reach.
If your members or network have strong interest in commercial real estate ownership, we'll co-host an introductory workshop this fall. We bring the materials and facilitation to your space.
Refer individual business owners. If a full workshop isn't the right fit right now, refer business owners directly to us to join one of our virtual introductory sessions.
