Monarch Enterprise
Owners: Aaron and Jennifer Camara
Location: Lebanon, PA
Business: Construction Company and Commercial Developer
Purpose of Loans: Creation of New Shopping Centers and Businesses
Impact: Economic Security / Food Access
Aaron and Jennifer Camara created Monarch Enterprise from the ground up, starting as a small general contractor and growing into a multi-faceted construction company and commercial developer, working primarily in Lebanon, Berks and Philadelphia Counties. Monarch Enterprise is a certified Minority Owned Business Enterprise and Aaron himself is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
The Camaras have built a strong relationship with Community First Fund and we’ve provided them with several loans since 2005. They are now undertaking their largest and most impactful project yet. In 2017, we allocated New Markets Tax Credits to help finance the creation of the “Shops at the Bridges” in the City of Lebanon. Built on a 3.25 acre tract of vacant land, the new shopping center will feature several retail spots, including a national retail store and a restaurant.
However, the primary feature of this project is the 13,000 square foot grocery store that will anchor the strip mall. The USDA has designated this area a “food desert” due to the lack of access to full-service grocery stores with healthy food options. Creating access to healthy foods, retail establishments and 60 new jobs – that’s how you impact a community.
2018 Monarch Enterprise Story