Enhanced Capital’s financial support has enabled Base Camp Coding Academy (BCCA) to continue its mission of addressing Mississippi’s need for more jobs and affordable education. BCCA is transforming a vacant historic building into a first-of-its-kind computer coding and distance learning facility called Everest through a $6.9 million redevelopment project. Enhanced Capital is proud to participate in economic development projects, such as Everest, to make a positive impact in various communities nationwide.

BCCA, an education non-profit in Water Valley, is making a considerable impact in Mississippi by providing free twelve-month software development programs to under advantaged, strong-minded students, to prepare them for a successful career in a competitive job market. BCCA offers access to post-high school workforce training and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in a state with a shortage of job opportunities and a 23% unemployment rate. Enhanced Capital supported BCCA’s Everest project with $2.0 million in tax equity and debt funding through federal and state Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits.

“Rural communities face opportunity challenges at every level. Geographic isolation, limited tax revenues, talent flight of our youth, and the shortage of investment capital that might help address these challenges. Everest demonstrates what is possible when organizations like Enhanced Capital and Base Camp Coding Academy collaborate, bringing their complementing resources and skills to bear on these persistent rural challenges,” said Kagan Coughlin, co-founder and trustee of BCCA and Everest.

Located in a former textile manufacturing facility at 802 Central Street, Everest is in a historic district known as the Water Valley Main Street. Everest will be the new location for a scaled-up version of BCCA in conjunction with Northwest Mississippi Community College and is scheduled to open in September of 2020. Any Mississippi student nominated by a teacher in their senior year of high school is eligible to apply to BCCA. All accepted students receive a full scholarship along with meals and commuting assistance, funded by sponsorships from private and corporate entities.