Rochester Community Investment Fund: Empowering Our City
- Marcus Williams
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Introduction
The Rochester community investment fund puts power in your hands. Rochester’s future should belong to its people, not just outside investors. With a median income of $40,083 and 26.2% of residents in poverty, our city’s growth often benefits wealthy developers while locals struggle. As Marcus C. Williams, I’m running for City Council to launch a Rochester Sovereign Wealth Fund (RSWF), funded and owned by Rochesterians, to invest in our neighborhoods, businesses, and youth—tax-free. Unlike government-run systems that risk control, the RSWF empowers citizens to profit from Rochester’s success without relying on politicians. This plan ensures every resident shares in our city’s prosperity.
Top Issues
Unequal Wealth Gains: Local development profits favor wealthy outsiders, leaving Rochester’s 205,239 residents behind.
Poverty and Opportunity Gap: With 26.2% in poverty and 40% of children below the line, youth need resources for entrepreneurship or housing.
Government Overreach: Public systems risk financial control and debanking, eroding trust, as seen with private banks.
Limited Investment Access: Most Rochesterians can’t invest in local growth, missing community-driven returns.
Action Items
The RSWF offers three pots for voluntary contributions, all with non-taxable returns:
1. Investment Vehicles
Pot 1: Local Low-Interest Loans
Short-term (6–12 months) and long-term (up to 72 months) loans to Rochester residents for business startups or property development, with 3% interest.
Benefits local jobs and property values.
Partners with RochesterWorks and Genesee Co-op FCU, capped at 5% of RSWF ($500,000 if $10M) with collateral for loans over $50,000.
Pot 2: Capital Development Bonds
Pot 3: Municipal Baby Bonds (Trust)
2. Funding and Participation
3. Governance and Protections
Expected Impact
$2M–$5M annual investment, 100–200 jobs.
5,000 baby bonds at $25,000 by 2045.
20,524 investors share 3–6% returns.
Fiscal safety with debt under 9% ($90M).
Conclusion
The Rochester Sovereign Wealth Fund empowers Rochesterians to invest in their city—tax-free—without government overreach. Together, we’ll build a prosperous Rochester!
Comments