PB Community Impact Fund provided $1,218,693 of New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing to Shining Starz ABA (Shining Starz) to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of two buildings for a new autism therapy clinic and office space in Magee, MS. According to Autism Speaks, 1 in 36 children in the United States have autism. The Mississippi Department of Education identified over 5,600 children with autism in Mississippi in 2020, with the number growing each year.

Shining Starz ABA operates a therapy clinic for children with autism. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) professionals at Shining Starz incorporate functional communication training, natural environment teaching, discrete trial training, and social skills in their sessions. Parents and families also participate in training sessions with professionals to monitor their child’s progress and learn practices to implement externally. Career training occurs weekly, so employees’ skills remain current with the field of ABA. Shining Starz also provides all employees with a benefits package that includes health insurance and retirement benefits.

The project was needed to expand the health and education services offered by Shining Starz. With the number of children diagnosed with autism increasing each year, Shining Starz needed NMTC financing to support the required growth of the organization. At stabilization, the project will expand service capacity from 90 to 190 youths, of which 67% are low-income persons and 100% are from the local community. This allows Shining Starz to contribute to the development and betterment of youths in the low-income community. 

The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2022-2026 (the “CEDS”) was reviewed to determine the project’s alignment with the region’s goals. The main two goals of the CEDS are economic development and community development, under which are the sub-goals of supporting the expansion of Job Skills Training programs to address workforce needs and develop communities to retain and/or attract residents, especially younger residents. The city of Magee is in Simpson County, which has its own strategic projects listed within the CEDS that align with each sub-goal. In particular, the county plans to support continued upgrades to the educational systems in the county, improve educational facilities and services, and improve healthcare facilities and services. The project increases the number of young patients served through Shining Starz’s educational and healthcare services and the number of employees working within the industry from the low-income community. Overall, the project aligns with the goals of the region and the county and will expand autism support services to children.