Jennings Asphalt
“With my ThriveOn loan, I was able to purchase a few key pieces of equipment that have added new service lines to my business. With more options available to our customers, we are generating significantly more revenue. In fact this season’s revenue generated was record breaking.”
Ebony Jennings - CEO
After losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebony Jennings found herself at a crossroads that many entrepreneurs face. Her grandfather had operated a successful and well respected asphalt business from 1984 until his passing in 1996, at which point the business closed. Determined to honor his legacy, Ebony set out to revive Jennings Asphalt and rebuild the name and reputation her family had established in the community. After being turned away multiple times by traditional lenders, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s ThriveOn Loan Program said yes and provided the opportunity she needed to continue moving forward.
With support from the ThriveOn Loan Program, Ebony was able to accelerate her plans and bring Jennings Asphalt back into full operation. The loan provided the capital needed to expand the business to a brick and mortar, secure major equipment, and reenter the market with confidence. Today, Jennings Asphalt represents both a growing business and the restoration of a family legacy, demonstrating how access to capital can create opportunity, resilience, and generational prosperity.
Business location: Milwaukee, WI
GMF Investment: $50,000
New jobs created: +1
Value of new contracts awarded: $1.1M
Total employees supported: 6
New Products & Services introduced: +3
Legacy Redevelopment Corporation Support: Loan support & Technical Assistance