Eleven small businesses throughout Northwest Ohio received funding assistance in the third quarter of 2025 to support expansion and operational growth. Through the JobsOhio Small Business Grant, $300,000 in funding was awarded, leading to the creation of 131 new jobs and the retention of 26 positions.
The grant program helps small businesses accelerate growth by providing funding for projects where JobsOhio’s support plays a key role in making the investment possible. As the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties, the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) facilitates this program in Northwest Ohio, connecting local entrepreneurs and communities to valuable resources that drive growth and strengthen the region’s economy.
“Through their commitment to this region and the people in our communities, small businesses are the foundation of the Northwest Ohio economy. We are proud to offer our support to these companies, particularly with the JobsOhio Small Business Grant which provides financial assistance to businesses looking to invest and grow their operations.”
– Dean Monske, president & CEO, RGP
Eligible businesses include those with annual revenues between $100,000 and $25 million, at least one year of operating history, and operations within one of JobsOhio’s targeted industries that primarily serve B2B markets.
The following Northwest Ohio companies received JobsOhio Small Business Grants in the third quarter of 2025:
- Stillwater Metal, LLC (Kenton) – Custom design and fabrication of steel panels for pole barns, garages, and barndominiums. Grant funding will support construction of a new lumber yard structure to increase productivity and operational efficiency.
- Trench Drain Systems Management Co. (Fremont) – Manufactures and supplies commercial and residential stormwater drainage systems. Funding will help expand manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand.
- Re-Cre8 Recycling, Inc. (Toledo) – Collects and recycles metal and plastic feedstock for customers such as KW Plastics and Scott Industries. Grant funding will support expansion through new machinery and equipment to meet increased demand.
- Schroder’s I.T., Inc. (Toledo) – Provides IT services and proprietary software platforms to B2B clients. Grant support will help expand office space and staff for custom software programming in a high-wage growth area.
- Link’s Country Meats, Inc. (Crestline) – Family-owned meat processing facility serving regional farmers and grocery chains. Funding will help expand the facility and upgrade electrical systems to meet growing demand.
- Zuber Welding & Fabrication, LLC (Antwerp) – Provides commercial and industrial welding and fabrication, including custom and small-run parts. Grant funding will support new machinery to increase capacity and efficiency.
- Gabel Welding, Inc. (Port Clinton) – Offers marine, industrial, and commercial welding services. Funding will allow facility upgrades and add welders to meet increased demand.
BRP Manufacturing Company (Lima) – Produces sheeted and extruded rubber products for defense, government, and aerospace. Grant support will help invest in machinery to meet demand and remain competitive. - City Apparel, Inc. (Findlay) – Manufactures uniforms, apparel, and promotional products for commercial and industrial clients. Funding will support technology upgrades and facility improvements to expand production and efficiency.
- Cap 360 LLC (Findlay) – Provides supply solutions to government agencies, including Customs Border Patrol and Defense Logistics Agency. Grant funding will support IT and software upgrades to maintain compliance and enable growth.
- K & B Metal Recycling, LLC (Findlay) – Metal recycling services for commercial vehicles and industrial clients. Funding will support purchase of a larger vehicle to expand service area and customer base.
Since JobsOhio introduced the program in 2020, the RGP has facilitated 131 Small Business Grants across Northwest Ohio, leading to the creation of 610 new jobs, 2,532 retained jobs, and more than $4.1 million in grant funding.
For more information about the program, visit https://rgp.org/jobsohio-small-business-grant/
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.