Houston’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Comes Full Circle at the GLUEE Program and LiftFund Open House & Ribbon Cutting
For over 30 years, in all 50 states, LiftFund has generated billions in economic impact by providing responsible loans, managing high-impact programs and delivering accessible financial education. LiftFund helps entrepreneurs build strong businesses and resilient communities.
Recently, with a $2.5 million grant from Wells Fargo, LiftFund celebrated the impact of its GLUEE Program (an acronym for Growing, Leveraging, Uplifting, and Educating Entrepreneurs, designed to help Houston-area entrepreneurs transition from leasing commercial space to owning it) at an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at City-Wide General Contractors, one of its local small-business success stories.
As our nation’s fourth-largest city and one of the country’s most diverse, our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. Rising rents are an enormous obstacle. The GLUEE Program addresses these challenges. Amy Hereford, President & CEO of LiftFund, said, “Through the GLUEE Program, we are helping small business owners take a transformative step—from renting space to owning it. Ownership creates stability, builds equity, and opens the door to generational wealth.”
Joining the ceremony were program partners, including Sandra Lopez, owner of City-Wide General Contractors, Inc., who exemplifies the type of entrepreneur the program is designed to support. She was joined by Amy Hereford, Wells Fargo Commercial Banker Michael Friesch, and state and city government officials.
The GLUEE Program not only provides financing but also connects business owners with technical assistance and resources to support long-term growth. By helping entrepreneurs establish permanent roots in their communities, the program strengthens neighborhoods, builds more resilient local economies and preserves Houston’s cultural identity. LiftFund’s ultimate goal is to bring together our community’s philanthropic, financial and real estate forces to expand access to commercial ownership opportunities. By working together, stakeholders can help more small business owners move from tenants to owners—unlocking new pathways to growth and prosperity.
More information about this unique program is available on their website at https://www.liftfund.com/gluee/.
