Investment Fund Overview - A new investment fund, the Morgan Stanley Rural NMTC Fund, is established to support health care services, affordable electricity, and job creation in rural and tribal areas, addressing poverty's impact on communities [1][2] - The fund is leveraging federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) to invest $45 million in high-impact development projects [2] Fund Objectives and Strategy - The fund aims to enhance economic opportunities and health in communities that struggle to attract necessary capital, focusing on projects in nonmetro census tracts with high unemployment and low median incomes [3] - Investments will target health care, electrification, community services, and workforce development programs, ensuring jobs pay a living wage and are accessible to diverse workers [3] Economic Impact - The fund prioritizes health investments, as rural hospitals are crucial economic drivers, generating $2.30 in additional economic activity for every $1.00 spent [4] - The fund's first investment of $8 million supports two new health facilities in Colusa, California, contributing to a total development cost of $26.5 million [5][6] Community Benefits - The new health centers in Colusa will facilitate over 28,000 patient visits annually, significantly reducing travel distances for care [6] - The NMTC-backed investment lowers capital costs, saving the Colusa Indian Community Council $500,000 annually in debt service, which will be used to enhance employee compensation and attract health providers [6][7]