OneMain Financial Awards $25,000 Grant to RAILmesa

Funds Will Be Used to Expand Access to Community Makerspace

EVANSVILLE, Ind.--()--OneMain Financial announced that it will be hosting its final 2018 “Made on Main Street” event on Saturday, October 13, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz. The event will celebrate a $25,000 grant awarded to the Retail, Arts, Innovations & Livability Community Development Corporation (RAILmesa) to expand access to their all-volunteer community makerspace, HeatSync Labs in downtown Mesa.

“Made on Main Street,” a partnership between OneMain Financial and Main Street America, provides community action grants for innovative neighborhood transformation projects across the country. Six additional grants have been awarded to organizations across the nation this year.

“At OneMain Financial, we strongly believe that individuals thrive when communities thrive. We’re thrilled to award this grant to RAILmesa and contribute to the continuation of Mesa’s sense of innovation and entrepreneurship. We hope the updates to HeatSync Labs will inspire the community’s creative spirit,” said OneMain Financial Chief Marketing Officer Kim Wijkstrom.

Downtown Mesa has hosted HeatSync Labs for more than seven years. As an all-volunteer community makerspace, it provides access to tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and welders while serving as a home for community innovation and developing businesses. After outgrowing its current location, HeatSync is moving to a larger facility, allowing it not just to double in physical size, but to more than quadruple its potential impact on the community. The Made on Main Street grant will be used to purchase updated equipment for the lab and create a more visually appealing space through furnishings and decor. The lab will also create a series of classes to teach novices of all ages how to use the updated equipment.

"Mesa's innovative spirit is alive and well at HeatSync Labs, the valley's premiere makerspace,” said RAILmesa Board Chair David Crummey. “RAILmesa is honored to support HeatSync, in partnership with Main Street America and OneMain Financial. This partnership is bringing additional resources and attention to HeatSync and downtown Mesa.”

OneMain Financial will be hosting a free, family-friendly block party to celebrate the grant award and the upcoming project. The October 13 event will be held at Macdonald Avenue and Main Street from 10 am to 2 pm in downtown Mesa. HeatSync Labs will be participating in the fun with a number of demonstrations at the block party as well as 3D printer and laser-cutter demonstrations at its facilities. The event will also include complimentary food, games, crafts, artisan vendors and much more. “Made on Main Street” is free, and all community members are invited to attend. For more information, please visit: https://www.MadeonMainStreet.com.

About OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial (NYSE: OMF) has been offering responsible and transparent loans for over 100 years. With more than 1,600 locations throughout 44 states, the company is committed to helping people with their personal loan needs. OneMain and its 10,000 team members are dedicated to the communities where they live and work. For additional information, please visit OneMainFinancial.com.

About the National Main Street Center

The National Main Street Center has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today, its Main Street America network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. The organization is a non-profit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Contacts

Kempner Communications
Erica Greenfield, 561-715-2688
Erica@kempnercommunications.com

Contacts

Kempner Communications
Erica Greenfield, 561-715-2688
Erica@kempnercommunications.com