Minnesota's Latino Economic Development Center honored with the Outstanding CDFI Award; Invest Appalachia CEO Andrew Crosson receives Rising Star Award NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Opportunity Finance Network, the nation's leading investment intermediary and network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs), recognized St. Paul-based Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) with the Outstanding CDFI Award and Andrew Crosson of Invest Appalachia with the Rising Star Award at The Opportunity Honors Award Ceremony and Reception Thursday at the 42nd annual OFN Conference in New Orleans.

"LEDC and Andrew Crosson represent the very best of community development finance: leaders who see what their communities need and act with urgency, imagination, and resolve," said OFN President and CEO Harold Pettigrew.

"When fear and disruption threatened small businesses across the Twin Cities, LEDC moved quickly to protect livelihoods and keep neighborhoods intact. And under Andrew's leadership, Invest Appalachia has built partnerships that are bringing new capital and possibility to communities across the region. Their work reminds us that opportunity is not self-executing. It takes trusted institutions and determined leaders willing to build it." The Outstanding CDFI Award recognizes a CDFI that has gone above and beyond over the last 18 months in serving its communities and advancing the CDFI industry.