This Golden LEAF grant will be used to create a loan loss reserve at the Center for Community Self-Help that will leverage $25 million in loans from Self-Help to North Carolina businesses. Priority for loans will be given to minority- or women-owned or small businesses. Loans that will lead to the creation of quality jobs or that will leverage federal stimulus funds are also of interest. Loans will be made to businesses in the fields of healthcare, construction, green industries, agriculture, or manufacturing. Businesses must be located in economically distressed or tobacco dependent counties.