Today, the Public Finance Authority (“PFA”) was pleased to see the grand opening of a new Goodwill Industries location in Wasilla, Alaska. The PFA assisted in financing this project and closed on the deal at the end of April 2021. This project will help serve the local community in Wasilla, employ approximately 45 people, and bring another job center to the city, according to material provided by the organization.
“Goodwill Industries is excited to announce the grand opening of our newest location in Wasilla and what exciting opportunities it will bring to the community,” said Jim Martin, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Lane and Southcoast Counties. “This new location allows us to bring a job center to the community to help train and employ individuals with barriers to employment, give Wasilla residents a place closer to home to shop, and to help fund mission services.”
The organization’s website notes that Alaska was first served by a Goodwill store in 2016, which marked the first time all 50 states had at least one Goodwill serving the community. As noted by Goodwill, the organization provides job opportunities in line with the organization’s mission statement, but this financing also enabled the organization to renovate part of their building into a job center. This location allows them the opportunity to provide vocational opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment. The job center services will include job search assistance, workshops, job leads, computer resources, job fairs, and referrals to both Goodwill programs and community partners.
“The Goodwill project in Wasilla is a shining example of projects PFA is incredibly proud to support,” remarked PFA’s Board Chair Bill Kacvinsky. “Connecting a mission-driven nonprofit organization like Goodwill with local government financing resources is precisely why PFA exists.”
PFA partners with local governments to assist in the financing of public benefit projects that create temporary and permanent jobs, affordable housing, community infrastructure and improve the overall quality of life in local communities. In 2021, the Public Finance Authority will celebrate over 10 years assisting in financing public benefit projects that provide local economic development, create jobs, produce state and local tax base, and meet needs of eligible borrower’s state or local issuing authorities may not be able to serve.
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